Wyden floats idea of nearly doubling wilderness areas on Hood, in gorge

[HuckleB]

Wyden floats idea of nearly doubling wilderness areas on Hood, in gorge

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/108030630692150.xml

"Protected wilderness on Mount Hood could nearly double in size if a proposal by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden gains traction in the nation's Capitol.

The Oregon Democrat said Thursday that he's prepared to introduce legislation designating an additional 160,000 acres of congressionally protected wilderness within the Mount Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge. Wyden also wants to bring four stretches of rivers, totaling 36.9 miles, into the national Wild and Scenic River System.

Conservationists have fought for years to secure additional protections for Mount Hood, which provides captivating views, year-round recreation, millions of tourist dollars and clean water for nearby communities. An estimated 5 million people visit the Mount Hood National Forest each year, bringing with them problems that plague other urban forests: crime, crowds and pollution."

[loftycity]

1. Go Ron!