The Siskiyou Wild Rivers Protection and Restoration Campaign is working to create a place where future generations can enjoy wild salmon and trout, rushing rivers, and the wonders of Siskiyou mountains and forests for years to come. The campaign proposal includes:

The Wild and Scenic Illinois River

Siskiyou Wild Rivers National Salmon and Botanical Area

The Siskiyou Wild Rivers National Salmon and Botanical Area will establish robust, cohesive protections for the forests and watersheds of five Wild & Scenic Rivers on public lands. To conserve them, commercial logging, mining and off-road vehicle use will be restricted. Roadless areas will be protected as Wilderness, and nine candidate rivers will be given Wild & Scenic River status. No private lands or valid existing rights of way will be affected.

Fire Safety

The proposal will create an integrated community fire management plan, assist private landowners with fire-safety improvements, and reduce fuels in tree plantations and prioritized Community Protection Zones. Fuel reduction measures will include the removal of brush and small diameter trees as well as prescribed burning in controlled conditions. Road closures will reduce the risk of fire ignitions.

Lomakatsi Restoration Project

Restoration Priorities

Restoration zones within the Siskiyou Wild Rivers National Salmon and Botanical Area will close and remove unneeded roads, eradicate and control invasive plants and pathogens, reduce erosion sources, and restore previously logged and fire-suppressed forests.

Economic & Scientific Benefits

Protection of Siskiyou Wild Rivers will contribute significantly to tourism and recreation, leading to a net increase in employment for the area. In addition, restoration and fire-safety efforts will provide quality jobs for local residents. By protecting large unspoiled areas, the proposal will also facilitate and encourage scientific endeavors to learn from the outstanding biological diversity, rare geology and natural fire cycles of the area.

Siskiyou Project Members Getting the Word Out

Your Help is Needed

Contact the Siskiyou Project to learn how you can help conserve the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area for future generations. Call 541-476-6648 or email shane@siskiyou.org.