The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act expressly requires the Forest Service to regulate the designated lands by protecting the ORV’s, acquiring land, monitoring resources and impact. The Act also requires that the managing agencies take a strong, pro-active interest in working with local governments (and landowners) to protect the river’s outstanding values and free-flowing character. To its credit, the Forest Service has taken a firm stance on Klickitat County’s proposed rezone and its potential impacts on the White Salmon’s outstanding values, water quality and water quantity.
Stakeholders need to work together toward the common goal of protecting the White Salmon’s outstanding values. Many parts of the White Salmon River Management Plan have not been implemented, as required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Implementation of the Management Plan is absolutely key to protection of the White Salmon. We are particularly concerned about the lack of an active acquisition program including pro-active outreach and education to private landowners along the river and a current prioritization of which parcels are most important to adequately protect the White Salmon’s outstanding values, and the lack of development of a monitoring program for land use changes, water quality and other parameters.
UPDATE: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifically requires a management plan that protects the river be developed and implemented. We have requested the following actions:
- Written evaluation of progress in implementing the Lower White Salmon Management Plan (Management Plan)
- Review and update list of priority parcels
- Develop and implement an inventory and monitoring plan, as specified in the Lower White Salmon Management Plan
- Reopen negotiations with the SDS Lumber Company
- Implement an Active River Program
- Review and update list of priority parcels
- Develop and implement an inventory and monitoring plan, as specified in the Lower White Salmon Management Plan
- Reopen negotiations with the SDS Lumber Company
- Implement an Active River Program
Click to read Wild and Scenic Area Manager Daniel Harkenrider’s Comments re: BZ Husum Rezoning
Click to write a letter to the Forest Service re: The Wild and Scenic Area
