Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Honor Frank and Jeanne Moore with Steelhead Special Management Area
Washington, DC – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio today introduced legislation that would honor an Oregon couple’s distinguished legacy of conservation and habitat preservation by designating nearly 100,000 acres of public lands in Oregon as the “Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area.”
The bill designating 99,653 acres of Forest Service land north of the North Umpqua River around Steamboat Creek in Douglas County would ensure the river, its tributaries and the surrounding lands will protect steelhead habitat, preserve opportunities for recreation, and conserve the unique ecological features of this great river while ensuring wildfire protection and the necessary area management.
“When you think about the Umpqua River, you can’t help but think about Frank and Jeanne and their lifelong dedication to conserving our state’s fish habitats and rivers,” said Wyden, a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This bill would permanently recognize their decades of commitment to recreation and the environment by ensuring that generations to come in southwestern Oregon fully realize just how much these remarkable Oregonians have accomplished throughout our state.”
“Oregon’s pristine and wild rivers, and the incredible recreation opportunities they provide, are one of the defining factors of our state’s amazing quality of life—as Frank and Jeanne Moore have recognized and fought for over so many decades,” said Merkley. “I’m pleased to join Senator Wyden and Congressman DeFazio in honoring their legacy, and working to protect the Oregon they envision for future generations.”
“Frank and Jeanne Moore have dedicated their lives to the protection and preservation of the North Umpqua River and its extraordinary natural resources, and it is an honor to help pay tribute to their efforts,” said Rep. DeFazio. “This incredible area is a critical steelhead spawning area and wildlife habitat, as well as one of the most ecologically important areas in the Pacific Northwest. The designation of this natural space as a sanctuary will remind generations to come of the Moores’ vital work safeguarding Oregon’s incredible wild areas.”
Frank and Jeanne Moore for nearly two decades were the proprietors of the Steamboat Inn along the North Umpqua River after Frank Moore returned from serving our country in World War II. He 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.
Frank 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.
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