Friends of the Columbia Gorge News Release
November 10, 2009
www.gorgefriends.org
11 Northwest Congressional Leaders Urge Presidential Support for Public Land Acquisition in the Columbia River Gorge
In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, eleven members of the Northwest Congressional Delegation are asking the President to fund public land acquisition and economic development in the Gorge in FY 2011.
Portland, Ore- Four U.S. Senators and seven Congressmen from Oregon and Washington have sent a letter to President Obama expressing their support for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and asking his administration to support funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s land acquisition program in the Columbia River Gorge.
The letter reads: “In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act in 2011, we urge the President to set aside $1.5 million for FY 2011 for the U.S. Forest Service to purchase key properties from willing sellers in the Gorge for habitat protection, scenic values and public enjoyment.”
The letter was signed by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Oregon Congressmen Earl Blumenauer, David Wu, Kurt Schrader and Peter DeFazio joined in the funding request, as did Washington Congressmen Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott and Norm Dicks.
“There are several spectacular parcels currently available to the Forest Service, and the President and Congress must act quickly to purchase these properties and preserve them as protected public lands,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “Every parcel that is acquired helps to enhance the beauty and accessibility of the Gorge for Oregonians and visitors from across the nation.”
“Last year, the Forest Service did not receive any funding to purchase Gorge lands. This created a backlog of properties that need urgent protection,” said Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “By purchasing and transforming private lands into protected public spaces, we are protecting watersheds, habitat corridors and unique recreation opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”
In 1986, Congress authorized the U.S. Forest Service to purchase lands to protect scenic views, fish and wildlife habitat, and cultural resources and to provide public recreation opportunities. Over the past 24 years, the Forest Service has acquired more than 38,000 acres of land within the National Scenic Area.
This month, National Geographic Traveler Magazine ranked the Columbia Gorge #10 worldwide and #2 nationally for sustainable destinations. The Gorge ranked higher than all our country’s national parks, higher than Tuscany, Italy; the Serengeti Plains; and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. The judges lauded the National Scenic Area, including a statement that the Gorge “benefits from some of the best land-preservation programs in the nation.”
President Obama is expected to release his budget for FY 2011 this coming January.
Read the letter at: https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5111/images/gorge.letter.pdf
