Oregon Business Coalition: Rogue River Protections Good For Economy
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A coalition of over 40 local and regional businesses says protecting wild lands is the best way to safeguard Oregon's economic growth. They're joining with conservation groups, fishermen and others in urging state lawmakers to support wilderness protections for the Wild Rogue, a pristine 60,000 acre area near the existing Wild Rogue Wilderness. Pete Wallstrom with Momentum River Expeditions says what's good for the environment is also good for businesses.
"The economy that comes from trips down the Rogue and all the other kinds of spill-off that comes from it, is an economy that will last for a long time. It won't be a short-term flash in the pan, like logging that section would be."
The Bush administration announced plans last fall to log hundreds of acres of old growth forest in the area.
Pete Wallstrom with Momentum River Expeditions says the Rogue River is among America's original Wild and Scenic Rivers, and keeping it that way is good for the surrounding community and for area businesses.
"Protection doesn't mean hurting the economy. If you do it right, it's going to set a good base for the long term."
More information on the proposal is available online at www.savethewildrogue.info.
