March 13, 2025 2:50 a.m.

This week Oregon’s Senator’s Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act.

A joint release said it is legislation to expand the recreation area by 58,000 acres, including land in Oregon.

The senators believe the legislation is critical to protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregonians rely on. The legislation is also cosponsored by California’s U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.

Merkley said, “When we come together to protect our state’s natural wonders, we can create jobs, protect resources, grow our economy and make sure future generations of Oregonians can enjoy our incredible public lands”.

Wyden said, “Expanding the Smith River National Recreation Area would protect one of our state’s most iconic treasures and generate both recreation jobs and economic benefits for Southern Oregon from visitors eager to fish, hunt, camp and hike in the area”.

In 1990, Congress enacted legislation to establish the Smith River National Recreation Area to protect the watershed, but the boundary of the NRA stopped at the Oregon border, leaving the North Fork of the Smith River and its tributaries unprotected.

The release said the NRA expansion would protect 74 miles of scenic rivers and permanently withdraw the land from new mining claims.

The legislation is supported by State Senator David Brock Smith, State Representative Court Boice and a diverse group of business, hunting and fishing, and outdoors related organizations.

A map of the proposed expansion can be found at: Smith River NRA 2023 proposed map