Sandy River Basin Plan History

Photo by Josh Kling/Western Rivers Conservancy.

History

In 1999, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Western Rivers Conservancy and Portland General Electric (PGE) formed a partnership to restore and conserve the Sandy and Little Sandy Rivers and create a natural and recreation area along the river. Western Rivers Conservancy is assembling a 5,000-acre natural area along the Little Sandy River and the main-stem Sandy upstream from Dodge Park. PGE has committed to donate 1,500 acres to Western Rivers Conservancy. In addition to the PGE donation, Western River Conservancy is commited to acquiring 3,500 acres of other land to assemble continuous river corridors along thirteen miles of the Sandy River, four miles of the Little Sandy and the lower portion of the Salmon River. To date, Western Rivers Conservancy has purchased or signed agreements to purchase 2,900 acres in the basin.

The BLM will take title to most of these lands, combining them with existing BLM holdings to create a larger 9,000-acre conservation and recreation area that will expand recreational opportunities in the Sandy River Basin. These lands have been purchased with appropriated funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Most of these lands have already been conveyed or will soon be conveyed to the BLM to be managed for the protection of sensitive fish and wildlife habitat, and to preserve the area as a public resource for hikers, floaters and anglers.

The Oregon Congressional Delegation, led by Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl Blumenauer, have played an essential role in securing $10.7 million in LWCF appropriations since 2001.

"This is a great example of a conservation organization working together with the local and federal government to assemble a beautiful new natural area and retain the public's access to scenic trails and fabulous recreation opportunities," Aaron Horton, District Manager BLM Salem.

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• Marmot and Little Sandy River Dam Removals
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