# Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act

This bill makes it easier for people to enjoy outdoor recreation on federal lands in Oregon by streamlining the process for getting permits and approvals. Right now, if you want to organize a community hiking event, fishing tournament, or camping trip on public lands managed by the federal government, you have to jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops. This bill cuts down on unnecessary red tape so that outdoor enthusiasts, local organizations, and small businesses can get the green light faster without sacrificing environmental protections or public safety.

The bill specifically focuses on activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, and other recreational uses that don't cause significant environmental damage. It establishes clearer timelines for permit decisions—so instead of waiting months for approval, you'd know within a reasonable timeframe whether your event is approved. It also creates a more straightforward application process, which is especially helpful for small community groups that don't have lawyers or consultants to navigate complex regulations. Local outdoor clubs, schools planning field trips, and small tour operators would all benefit from this simpler system.

The bill doesn't eliminate environmental reviews or safety requirements. Federal agencies still need to make sure activities won't harm wildlife, water quality, or sensitive ecosystems. What it does is eliminate duplicate paperwork and unnecessary delays when the environmental impact is clearly minimal. Essentially, it's designed to say "yes" faster to low-impact recreation while maintaining the same level of environmental protection. For Oregonians who love spending time outdoors, this means more opportunities to organize group activities and enjoy public lands without getting stuck in bureaucratic delays.

Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act

Wyden, Ron

Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act This bill designates specified Bureau of Land Management land in Oregon as the Rogue Canyon and Molalla Recreation Areas and adds approximately 59,512 acres of federal land to the Wild Rogue Wilderness. The Department of the Interior, for public land, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), for National Forest System land, must conduct a wildfire risk assessment that covers the recreation areas, the Wild Rogue Wilderness, and any adjacent federal land. Interior and USDA must develop plans to mitigate wildfire risk to communities located near the land. No new permanent or temporary roads shall be constructed within the recreation areas except as necessary for public safety or to implement the wildfire mitigation plan. USDA may take measures within such wilderness additions as are necessary to control fire, insects, and disease. All federal surface and subsurface land within the recreation areas or the wilderness additions is withdrawn from <ul> <li>entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; </li> <li>location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and </li> <li>disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials. </li> </ul> The bill also withdraws identified federally owned lands and interests within the Hunter Creek, Pistol River Headwaters Withdrawal Proposal, or the Rough and Ready and Baldface Creeks Mineral Withdrawal Proposal in Curry County and Josephine County, Oregon, and any land or interest in land located within such withdrawal proposals that is acquired by the federal government.