Bills move forward to expand Oregon Caves National Monument

Statesman Journal
By Henry Miller
July 31, 2014

A bill that would expand the Oregon Caves National Monument by more than 4,000 acres passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee and heads for possible consideration by the full House when Congress re-convenes in September.

A companion bill, SB 344, was passed by the Senate earlier this month.

One unique feature of the bill, HR 2489, is that it would designate the River Styx, which flows through the caves, as Wild and Scenic, the first subterranean river to get such a designation.

Supporters of the companion bills include the ranking Natural Resources Committee member Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D).

More than 70,000 tourists visit Oregon Caves each year, generating $4.8 million in local revenues and supporting 70 local jobs in Josephine County and Cave Junction.

The 4,070 acre expansion would be managed as a national preserve, which will allow the National Park Service to continue to allow hunting and fishing access.

Oregon Caves is the longest marble cave (3.5 miles) open to the public west of the Continental Divide.

Oregon Caves National Monument was established in 1909 by President William Howard Taft.

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