Over 50 Oregon businesses sign letter supporting protections for roadless wildlands
In a letter sent to Oregon’s congressional delegation today, a coalition of over 50 Oregon businesses from across the state voiced their support for roadless forest protections. The signatories–from breweries to farmers to outdoor outfitters and guides–are calling on Congress to oppose the Trump administration’s plan to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
The Roadless Rule is a popular federal policy that protects 2 million acres of wild, public forestlands across Oregon and nearly 60 million acres nationwide from roadbuilding, commercial logging, and development. The businesses are also urging lawmakers to prioritize the passage of the Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R.3930 & S.2042) in the next Congress. This legislation would codify the Roadless Rule in federal law. Currently, Oregon’s entire delegation, except for Val Hoyle (OR-4) and Cliff Bentz (OR-2), is a co-sponsor of the bill.
In the letter, the businesses note: “Oregon’s businesses rely heavily on public lands, clean water, healthy watersheds, and intact forests. According to a 2022 analysis, spending on outdoor recreation in Oregon exceeded $16 billion and supported 192,000 jobs. A recent analysis by Earth Economics found that protected Roadless Areas in Oregon alone contribute $2.5 billion in annual economic benefits to our state.”
“Roadless forests are some of the last truly wild places we have, and protecting them matters for our environment, our communities, and even our local businesses,” Ryan Still, co-founder of Lazy Days Brewing Co. in Portland, said. “Clean water and healthy ecosystems are essential to brewing, but they’re also part of what makes Oregon feel like home.”
The letter comes ahead of the anticipated US Department of Agriculture’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Roadless Rule repeal. The process that began last year, and resulted in over 99% of the 600,000 comments submitted citing opposition to the plan, will soon enter a second public comment period.
“Protecting roadless forests on public lands is vital to preserving valuable habitat for the fish my business relies on,” said Chris Daughters, owner of the Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene. Daughters added, “I support passing the Roadless Area Conservation Act.”
In Oregon, the Roadless Rule covers beloved public lands like Tumalo Mountain and the Cascade Lakes in Deschutes National Forest, Larch Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge, Rough and Ready Creek and the wild rivers of the Siskiyou Mountains, and Joseph Canyon in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The businesses caution that eliminating protections for these intact public lands “puts our natural heritage and economic well-being at risk.”
“I believe conserving Roadless Areas conserves Oregon’s ethos,” stated Megan Kellner-Rode, co-owner of Boundless Farmstead, outside of Bend. “Roadless Areas are good for everyone, from the flora and fauna, to hunters and hikers, to anyone who desires clean water and clean air. We must fight to keep Oregon’s pristine forests roadless and untouched.”
Additional Quotes
“Wild forests provide us with not only clean water, abundant wildlife, and world-class recreational opportunities, but are a critical part of local cultural heritage. We named Blossom Barn Cidery after Blossom Bar rapid on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.”
Jeremy Hall, owner of Blossom Barn Cidery near Grants Pass.
“Bend is well-known for being home to many amazing breweries, all of which rely on a clean water source as the most essential ingredient in the beer we make. Protecting Roadless Areas is a priority we take seriously in order to make sure this precious resource is not compromised.”
Bryon Pyka, Terranaut Beer owner and brewer in Bend.
“Outdoor recreation directly benefits our business by promoting tourism and recreation that is made possible by the roadless lands in the Sisters area. Many of our customers stop to get a coffee or breakfast on their way to do outdoor activities in the area.”
Jesse Durham, co-owner of Sisters Coffee Company.
Signers
“It is vital to protect natural resources for all of our citizens who enjoy the benefits of the natural world that surrounds us. Whether you are a hiker or hunter, bird watcher or angler, we all know the places where we connect to nature are too valuable to lose to corporations for exploitation.”
Jeffrey Perrin, owner of The Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters.
“Outside of designated Wilderness, roadless areas are the last truly wild places in our national forests. They deserve to be managed for wildlife, clean water, and recreation — not carved up for short-term profit.”
Sarah Cuddy, owner of Wallowa Llamas in Baker City.
Andrew Kumler Photography
Animosa
Barking Mad Farm
BearKat Brewing Company
Blossom Barn Cidery
Boundless Farmstead
Caddis Fly Shop LLC
Cog Wild Bicycle Tours
Double Mountain Brewery and Cidery
Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe
Earthwell
Eugene Gear Traders
Falling Sky Brewing
Futurescapes Consulting
Go Wild: American Adventures
Grapevine Outdoor LLC
Gratitude Brewing
GRAYL
Hetty Alice Brewing Company
Humble Roots Farm and Nursery LLC
La Mouette
Lake Creek Lodge
Lazy Days Brewing Company
Leon Werdinger Photography
Level Beer
Living Room Realty
Mahonia Group at MORE Realty
Metolius Tea
Minam River Lodge
Minimal Gear
Mountain Rose Herbs
Oregon Pack Works
Ouzel Outfitters
Parallel 45 Brewing
Patagonia
pFriem Family Brewers
RainSong Vineyard
River Drifters
ROW Adventures
Ruffwear
Saturn Duplication
Silver Falls Brewery
Sisters Coffee Company
Spring Fed Media LLC
Straightaway Cocktails
Sunriver Brewing Company
Terranaut Beer
The Fly Fisher’s Place
The Oregon Brewery Running Series
The Oregon Cliff House
Wallowa Llamas
Wanderlust Tours
