July 13, 2016

Frank Moore Steelhead Management Area Bill Advances to Full Senate

Washington, DC – A bill sponsored by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley that would designate nearly 100,000 acres of public lands in Oregon as the “Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area” today passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The committee action sends to the full Senate the measure designating 99,653 acres of Forest Service land north of the North Umpqua River around Steamboat Creek in Douglas County.

“Frank’s extraordinary dedication conserving our state’s fish habitats and rivers merits permanent recognition in the special places he has spent decades championing,” said Wyden, a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Today marks a significant step forward to protect southwestern Oregon and to let future generations know how much this remarkable Oregonian has accomplished for recreation and the environment throughout our state.”

"The Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Management Area will accomplish two critical things: protecting recreation opportunities, and preserving critical salmon and steelhead habitats,” said Merkley. “Today’s committee passage is an important step in passing the Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Management Area and honoring the legacy of Frank and the vision that he inspired.”

The Oregon senators named their legislation in honor of Frank Moore because of his outstanding accomplishments starting in World War II and then continuing for nearly two decades as the proprietor of the Steamboat Inn along the North Umpqua River. Throughout his life, Moore has shared his passion for fishing, the river and the outdoors with visitors from all over the world.

In World War II, Moore stormed the beaches of Normandy along with 150,000 troops during the D-Day Allied invasion and was awarded the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his bravery. He returned home after the war, started a family, and pursued his passion of fishing on the winding rivers in Oregon.

Moore served on the State of Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission from 1971 to 1974. He has been recognized for his conservation work with the National Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year award, the Wild Steelhead Coalition Conservation Award; and his 2010 induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.