05.21.14

Oregon Caves Expansion in the Works

KDRV- Oregon
by
Published May 20, 2014

caves

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing today on legislation from Ranking Member Peter DeFazio that would protect and expand the Oregon Caves National Monument. DeFazio’s legislation, the Oregon Caves Revitalization Act, would expand the monument by 4,070 acres and designate the River Styx – the underground stream running through Oregon Caves – as the first subterranean Wild and Scenic River in the nation.

More than 80,000 tourists visit the Oregon  Caves each year, supporting jobs and local businesses in Josephine County and Cave Junction and pumping money in the local economy. An expansion is expected to bring a much-needed economic boost to Josephine County and surrounding area.

The 4,070 acre expansion will be managed as a National Preserve, which will allow the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve hunting and fishing access for the public..  The expansion includes key watershed important to the unique hydrology of the caves and the source of drinking water for 80,000 annual visitors. The legislation also provides for the voluntary donation of grazing permits within and near the monument to be permanently retired by the NPS. The National Park Service has expressed concerns about the impact of grazing on the watershed, cave system, and drinking water supply.

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 Howard Taft.  At the time, the Secretary of the Interior proposed a monument of 2,500 acres but President Taft settled on 480 acres. Expansion has been proposed by the NPS on multiple occasions, first in 1939, again in 1949, and most recently in 1999.