For Immediate Release

Mountain Bikers, Conservationists Craft Bold Agreement to Protect Mount Hood

HOOD RIVER, Ore – Mountain bikers and Wilderness advocates announce an historic agreement that would protect spectacular Wilderness landscapes around Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. These acres were included in an original draft of the Mount Hood Wilderness Bill, which passed in 2009, but were stripped out due to objections from then-Senator Gordon Smith. In past efforts to protect Mount Hood, Wilderness advocates and mountain bike clubs found themselves opposed to each other. Nationally, Wilderness advocates and mountain bikers are forging new territory, working together towards common sense solutions that protect both the Wilderness quality lands and recreational access for those who mountain bike.

The proposal includes 20,000 acres in places like Tamanawas Falls, Hunchback Mountain, Salmon River, McCall Point, Vista Ridge, and Boulder Lake. Extending Wilderness designation to these areas would protect the drinking water supply for the city of Sandy, key wildlife habitat, and some of the best hiking in Oregon. The boundaries have been carefully designed so they are bike-friendly and maintain access to prized backcountry adventure riding in the region.

“Protecting Mount Hood is important enough that we wanted to come to the table to work out our differences,” said Hood River based Anna Laxague of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). “We want these natural treasures protected so they are sustained for future generations while maintaining access for mountain biking on Mount Hood’s world class trail system.”

The Wilderness Act does not permit the use of “mechanical transport” and prohibits the use of mountain bikes in Wilderness areas. This restriction has historically led many mountain biking groups to oppose Wilderness proposals in Oregon and across the country when those proposals would close important trails to bikes.

“By working on this proposal together from the beginning we were able to strike the needed balance to bring our organizations together,” said Erik Fernandez of Oregon Wild.  “In this polarized political climate, it's great to be a part of this success story of people setting aside their differences and coming together to further protect Mount Hood and the Gorge for recreation, wildlife and our natural heritage.”

Additional support for this proposal includes Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline, the Mazamas, the community of Mosier and more.

For more information on the proposal, please visit http://www.oregonwild.org/wilderness/mount-hood-wilderness