Oregon Seeks Comment on Chetco and Molalla State Scenic Waterways

Earlier this year, Oregon Governor Kate Brown designated portions of the Molalla and Chetco Rivers as the state’s first new State Scenic Waterways since 1988. Now, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is developing rules that will apply to how the rivers are managed. The agency is seeking public comment on their proposed rules through 5 p.m. on Friday, September 30th.

The whitewater paddling community highly values the Chetco and Molalla Rivers, and it’s been exciting to see the state recognize these freely flowing rivers. Many people (including paddlers!) worked hard to make this happen, and we encourage you to weigh in on this final step of the process!  

About the State Scenic Waterway Program

Oregon voted to establish the State Scenic Waterway program in 1970 in order to balance the impacts of dams. The program proclaims that the highest and best uses of the waters within State Scenic Waterways are recreation, fish and wildlife uses, and a designation protects the outstanding scenic, fish, wildlife, geological, botanical, historic, archaeologic, and outdoor recreation values of a river for current and future generations. Similar to federal Wild and Scenic protection, a State Scenic Waterway designation keeps a river freely-flowing by prohibiting dam construction. Those seeking to engage in certain activities, such as mining or logging, within a State Scenic Waterway corridor need to receive permission from the agency.

The Proposed Rules for the Chetco and Molalla Rivers

The proposed rules for the Chetco and Molalla Rivers focus on classifying different sections of both rivers and outlining management practices to maintain their character. The agency is proposing to designate the Molalla River as a Scenic River Area from the confluence with the Table Rock Fork to Pine Creek, and as a Recreational River Area from the confluence with Pine Creek to Trout Creek. For the Chetco River, the agency is proposing to designate the river from Eagle Creek to the South Fork confluence as a Scenic River Area, and as a Recreational River Area from the confluence with the South Fork to the southern boundary of the Alfred A. Loeb State Park.

For more information about these classifications, to view the proposed rules and to submit a comment online, visit Oregon’s Rulemaking Page.

Comments can also be submitted via e-mail to OPRD.publiccomment@oregon.gov, or via regular mail to: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn: Richard Walkoski, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR  97301.

If you’d like to comment in person, there are two scheduled hearings: September 19th at 6:00 PM in Brookings at the Public Library, 405 Alder Street; and September 27th at 6:00 PM in Molalla at the Public Library, 201 E 5th St.

More information about Oregon’s state scenic waterway program can be accessed online at: bit.ly/scenicwaterways.

As we celebrate the state designation of these rivers, we will continue to work towards securing important federal protections that will complement and enhance the efforts of the state to recognize the conservation value of these rivers. American Whitewater continues to support passage of the Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (H.R.1052) and Oregon Wildlands Act (S.1699).