PROTECTION
Mark
O. Hatfield Wilderness was originally designated a wilderness in 1984. In 2009, additional lands were added to expand the wilderness area. This 25,960 acre
addition included the Larch Mountain and Gorge Ridgeline Areas. The Mark O.
Hatfield wilderness now butts up against the Historic Columbia River Highway
and over looks the Columbia River Gorge. It now totals 65,822 acres. The lands
designated as part of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness Area protect a number of
endangered or rare species, including some that can only be found there.
It also protects the Bull Run Watershed which is the water supply for
Portland.
CONTROVERSY
It's All In A Name
Oddly much of the
controversy over the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness Area was not over whether or
not it should be a wilderness but over its name. Originally designated as the
Columbia River Wilderness it was renamed in 1996 to honor Senator Mark O.
Hatfield. Many people were pleased to be honoring the Senator they saw as being
a strong advocate for preserving wilderness areas. Others were infuriated
because they saw Hatfield's advocacy as self-serving and flaky. Since he had
sided with the logging industry on many occasions, they believed that this was where his real interests were. They believed that he chose to base his support of
wilderness areas on what was politically convenient, instead of what was they
best way to preserve Oregon's resources.
More Links:
Mark O. Hatfield
Memorial Trail
The controversy in
the Mark O. Hatfield wilderness is related to whether or not a Hatfield
Memorial Trail should be built. The general ideal behind the trail is to
connect various existing trails with each other to create a longer trail,
allowing for longer more complete hikes. There are many parts of the wilderness
area that would be easier to see if the trails were better connected and some
small additions have occurred. There have been varying proposals from different
organizations and they have changed some as discussions have been ongoing.
Conflict has been two-fold. First, there are differences in opinion about
whether or not the trail should even be build. Second, everyone seems to have a
different idea of where it should go. This is especially true in the case of
the proposed add-on that would run by the Bull Run watershed. One side feels
very strongly that it is important that no one goes near the watershed for the
protection of the water supply. Proponents of the trail argue that no one will be
going into the part of the watershed that needs to be protected, instead they
will just be going to an overlook area that allows them to enjoy the
vistas.
More Links:
http://wyeastblog.org/2010/06/20/proposal-mark-o-hatfield-memorial-trail/
RECREATION USES
Recreational uses
include:
- Camping
- Hiking - Afternoon to Multi-day
- Fishing
- Horseback riding (only on Pacific Crest & Herman Creek Trails)
- Hunting
Visitors should keep in mind that this is a wilderness area and as such, camping means
camping in the woods not in a facility with restrooms and showers.
Permits are Required. In most cases they are free and you pick them up upon entering the Wilderness Area. You are required to have them with you while in the Wilderness Area. In some locations or at certain times of the year a fee may be charged. It is also possible to need to pay for a parking permit for any vehicle left at the trail-head.
Restrictions:
- Groups are limited to 12 heartbeats, meaning any combination of people or animals.
- Larger groups are required to spit up and maintain a minimum separation of one hour travel time and one mile of horizontal distance.
- Dogs must be on a minimum 6-foot lead while on the Eagle Creek Trail
- Campfires are prohibited June 1 -September 15 unless otherwise posted.
- Campfires are prohibited within 200 feet of Wahtum Lake except at designated sites. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves may be used.
- No camping is allowed within 200 feet of Wahtum Lake
- The Bull Run Watershed is closed to the public to protect the Portland water supply
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