The Beaver State was built by Americans who relied on the land for their livelihood. Natural resource industries like farming, forestry, and salmon fishing remain integral to Oregon’s economy today. Our state has also long been a destination for Americans looking to experience the great outdoors. Oregon’s protected public lands provide valuable habitats, supply clean water, and generate jobs through sustainable harvests, recreation, and tourism. Preserving our natural resources and making smart decisions about economic development will help spur rural growth and ensure that future generations can enjoy Oregon’s wild places and public lands while putting people to work.
Dexter Leads Oregon Lawmakers in Standing Up for Wildfire Response and Research
Oregon lawmakers warn USDA plan would weaken wildfire response, disrupt critical research, and jeopardize 246 local jobs. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) today led a letter with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) that
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici: FEMA Must Award Critical Disaster Mitigation Funds to an Oregon Coast Project
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), today demanded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) immediately award Clatsop County and Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) $20,845,683 in federal funding that was provided under the Building
Reps. Hoyle, Huffman & Senator Merkley Introduce Bill to Expand Smith River National Recreation Area into Southwest Oregon
EUGENE, OR – Today, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) introduced the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) Expansion Act to protect Southwest Oregon’s scenic North Fork Smith River watershed and its world-class rivers, salmon strongholds, rare plants, clean drinking water, and recreation opportunities. The House
Merkley, Dexter: Congress Must Protect Farmworkers from Hazardous Wildfire Smoke, Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter (OR-03) today announced they introduced the Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act. The bicameral bill would put safeguards in place for farmworkers facing the dangers of wildfire smoke and extreme weather. “Climate chaos is creating hotter, longer summers and leading
Merkley, Wyden Announce $22 Million to Support Working Forestland and Tribal Access in Eastern Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $22 million to the Qapqapa Wildlife Area project in Northeast Oregon’s Union County, which will be co-managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the Oregon
Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million for Rural Broadband Technical Assistance in Oregon
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today announced more than $2.2 million in funding to help expand high-speed internet in communities across rural Oregon. “It is more important now than ever to have reliable access to the internet, especially for rural Oregonians who depend on emergency