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OREGON DUNES, WINCHESTER BAY LAND CONVEYANCE
TO BECOME LAW
Bill will boost local tourism economy,
reduce traffic and improve public safety
February 24, 2004
Washington, DC – U.S.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced
final congressional approval of their Oregon Dunes National Recreation
Area land transfer legislation, aimed at improving access to the
site and boosting the tourism economy of the South Coast. The
Wyden-Smith bill (S. 714) directs the Secretary of the Interior
to convey approximately 68.5 acres from the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) to Douglas County to be managed for open space and for recreational
purposes. In addition to shoring up the areas tourism economy,
the legislation will also reduce traffic congestion along Salmon
Harbor Drive. The bill now goes to the White House for the president’s
signature into law.
“Improved access to Oregon
Dunes will attract tourism dollars and help folks enjoy this natural
treasure,” said Wyden. “I’m focused on bringing
better economic times to all of Oregon, and this is a common sense
way to help the Douglas County economy.”
“Increasing the ability
for locals and tourists alike to enjoy Oregon’s natural
beauty is where this bill truly succeeds,” said Smith. “Economic
opportunity and job growth are important benefits for the people
of Winchester Bay and Douglas County that simply can’t be
overstated.”
The acreage to be transferred
is located just west of tourist and recreational area developments
already owned and run by Douglas County. The county will use the
land to provide a staging area for off-highway vehicles, thereby
consolidating and improving United States Forest Service management
of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The land transfer
also facilitates the policing of unlawful camping and parking
along Salmon Harbor Drive and adjacent areas.
The Wyden-Smith legislation
has the support of the entire Oregon delegation, as well as the
BLM, the Douglas County Commissioners, and the community of Winchester
Bay. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced companion
land transfer legislation (H.R. 514) in the U.S. House of Representatives
early last year.
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