Opal Creek
Scenic Recreation Area

Background

On November 9, 1998, Regional Forester Bob Williams, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, established both the Opal Creek Wilderness and the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA). These areas were legislated with the passage of the "Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996."

Opal Creek is known for both its great beauty and as a place of controversy. The establishment of the SRA and wilderness area has done much to bring agreement about how the area should be managed.

While the pages in this area do have some general recreation information, most are dedicated to the ongoing management planning and documentation. An advisory council was established in June 2000 to help advise the Forest Service on those management decisions.