Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act seeks to amend the Smith River National Recreation Area Act to include new additions to the recreation area. It also amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate several wild rivers in the State of Oregon. The bill includes provisions for the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on environmental values like water features, plants, and animals. Additionally, the Act outlines management requirements, including wildfire and vegetation management. It also establishes protections for Tribal rights and the acquisition of specific land parcels like the Cedar Creek Parcel.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill expands the Smith River National Recreation Area and designates several wild rivers to protect ecological values.
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill establishes a memorandum of understanding to provide Indian Tribes access to historical and cultural activities and information.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill updates management plans and includes requirements for studying and protecting various natural resources.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Protection: The Secretary is required to conduct a study of the study area, including assessments of streams, fow, wetlands, lakes, plants, animals, and fungi, and then modify management plans to fully protect these values (Section 2(c)).
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Tribal Access and Culture: The bill seeks to establish a memorandum of understanding with Indian Tribes to provide access for historical and cultural activities, such as procuring noncommercial forest products, and to develop interpretive information regarding Tribal history (Section 2(h)).
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Wild River Designations: Numerous segments of the North Fork Smith River, including Baldface Creek, Taylor Creek, and others, are designated as wild rivers to protect their outstandingly remarkable values (Section 3(a)).
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Recreational Improvements: The bill includes the expansion of the Smith River in Oregon to include segments classified as recreational rivers (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Land Acquisition Requirements: The bill directs the Secretary to acquire all right, title, and interest in the approximately 555 acres of the "Cedar Creek Parcel" upon the adoption of a resolution by the State Land Board of Oregon, subject to available funding (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill expands the Smith River National Recreation Area and designates several wild rivers to protect ecological values. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill updates management plans and includes requirements for studying and protecting various natural resources.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill establishes a memorandum of understanding to provide Indian Tribes access to historical and cultural activities and information. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of recreational areas and protection of wild rivers may provide long-term value to rural Oregon residents.
- 12/2/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- 3/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon