We applaud the Senator's efforts to recognize the call for the protection of mature and old growth forests.

The Wilderness Society strongly supports Senator Wyden's proposal to designate 177,000 acres of wilderness additions.

First, The Wilderness Society greatly appreciates the efforts by Senator Wyden to develop legislation that preserves an outstanding part of Oregon's wilderness heritage.

The Oregon Chapter commends Senator Wyden for opening this important and historic dialogue.

The Senator is in sync with the people of Oregon as the result of his continued work to promote protections for old-growth forests.

We want to thank Senator Wyden for demonstrating such strong leadership in his efforts to permanently protect the public lands surrounding Mt. Hood.

We commend Senator Wyden's strong, constant efforts to permanently protect the northwest's old growth forests.

We applaud the Senator's efforts to recognize the call for the protection of mature and old growth forests.

Senator Wyden and his staff have devoted much time and energy to engage local elected officials, business leaders, recreational users, and environmental organizations.

The Wilderness Society strongly supports Senator Wyden's proposal to designate 177,000 acres of wilderness additions.

I wish to extend not only my heartfelt thanks that Senator Wyden has introduced such bold legislation

If you have the demonstration project, next step it will be to unravel the Wilderness Act.

So your overall evaluation is that there will be plenty of opportunities for snowmobiling, even with this legislation?

I think the reality is, is people are not going to increase logging up on Federal lands on Mount Hood.

We're going to work with all the stakeholders. As I say, what I've tried to do since the original legislation is to incorporate all of the concerns we heard from the folks in the area.

The first thing Senator Smith and I hear whenever anything comes up is, 'Oh, my goodness, if you have a wilderness area, there's no way you can manage it to curtail the possibility of wildfire or disease outbreak.'

Now, there's concern by the administration and others that a wilderness area in the gorge would be inconsistent with the Gorge Act.

The bill creates a local contracting preference so as to try to keep jobs associated with the area in Clackamas and Hood River Counties.