Rural Oregon & Natural Resources
Senator Wyden has made a career of seeking consensus among environmentalists and natural resource businesses, engendering a greater mutual respect for the environment. Wyden is a climate champion, working hard in the Senate to develop comprehensive solutions to tackle the climate crisis and protect our natural spaces for generations to come.
Wyden’s record has resulted in saving endangered species and Oregon’s special places. In Oregon, Wyden helped expand wilderness protections for Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, Copper Salmon, the Oregon Badlands, Spring Basin, and the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The addition of 1,986 miles of Oregon rivers to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system means Oregon now has the most wild-and-scenic river designations in the continuous United States.
Senator Wyden has worked to protect pristine waters in southwestern Oregon from dangerous nickel mining, and to protect the livelihoods of ranchers in Eastern Oregon from hazardous uranium mining. Wyden has taken the lead in protecting old-growth forests and has advocated reform of federal government land management practices. He believes that extractive industries such as oil and coal should pay for all of the costs they impose on public lands and that American taxpayers should get a fair return on commonly held natural resources.
During his tenure, Senator Wyden has been a leader in supporting the collaborative process for land management in rural Oregon, from the collaborative sage grouse habitat conservation plans that prevented a listing of the Greater Sage Grouse to the establishment of a 10 Year Stewardship contract that saved one of the last sawmills in eastern Oregon. In 2019, after months of collaboration with local ranchers, environmental groups, local and state universities, Ron introduced legislation to provide Masher County several economic development opportunities by maintaining and improving rangeland to support local ranchers and protecting the Owyhee River Canyonlands and surrounding area for recreation and wildlife habitat.
In 2008 Senator Wyden won passage of the Combat Illegal Logging law that is having a real effect on the survival of endangered forests around the world by cutting off the market for illegal timber.
Latest
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March 10, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Demand Answers From the FCC on Move Limiting Access to Resources to Expand Rural Broadband
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March 10, 2020
Merkley, Wyden, Walden Push for Emergency Aid for Flood-Stricken Eastern Oregon
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March 04, 2020
Oregon Officials to Hold Flood Recovery Meeting in Pendleton
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March 03, 2020
Wyden Presses DOE Secretary on Agency’s Failure to Prioritize Hanford Cleanup
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March 03, 2020
Wyden on FERC Nominee Vote: “The Trump administration appears determined to overthrow any semblance of independence at the FERC”
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February 28, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Announce $6.4 Million in Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Funding for Ochoco, Mt. Hood Forests
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January 14, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Press Trump Admin on LNG By Rail Safety
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December 20, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Small Ports, Irrigation Districts, Renewable Energy Included in 2020 Spending Bill
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December 20, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Increased Water Infrastructure, Tribal, Forest Funding in 2020 Spending Bill
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December 19, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Priorities for Oregon Agriculture, Rural Communities Included in 2020 Spending Bill
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December 17, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce USDA Loan of Over $42.5 Million for Tillamook Electricity Infrastructure Upgrades
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December 16, 2019
Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch Announce Two-Year Authorization for Secure Rural Schools Program in End-of-Year Funding Package
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December 12, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Welcome Step Forward for Secure Rural Schools Program, Recreation Opportunities and Wildfire Prevention in Oregon
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December 10, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Resolution in Support of U.S. Commitment to Paris Climate Agreement
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December 02, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Grant for High-Speed Broadband Infrastructure in Eastern Oregon
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November 21, 2019
Wyden: We Have to Secure Rural Communities Against Financial Roller Coaster
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November 20, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Request Changes to USDA Rule on Hemp Production to Better Support Oregon Farmers
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November 20, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Key USDA Wastewater Investments for Rural Oregonians
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November 14, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Introduce New Legislation to Expand Smith River National Recreation Area to Include Oregon
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November 14, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Bill Would Bar Use of SRS Funds for Lobbying
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November 07, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Boost Economic Development in Malheur County
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October 31, 2019
Wyden: The Recreation Not Red Tape Act is a Boost for Our Quality of Life and Economy
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October 31, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Funding for Natural Resources, Emergency Preparedness
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October 31, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Oregon Rural Priorities Funded in Spending Bill
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October 02, 2019
Senators Call for Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
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October 02, 2019
Wyden Announces Statewide Effort for Wild and Scenic Rivers
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September 25, 2019
Wyden Energy Storage, Hydro-Power Legislation Advances
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September 25, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Markey Reintroduce Legislation to Ban U.S. Oil Exports
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September 24, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Senate Democrats Press USDA to Justify Critical Honeybee Data Gaps
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September 19, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Resolution to Protect Ambitious National Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
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September 16, 2019
Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
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September 16, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Walden Press Feds on Large Air Tankers
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September 12, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Funding for Rural Communities Hit by Severe Winter Storms
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September 03, 2019
Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch Call on TriWest to Ensure Urgent Care Access for Veterans in Rural Communities
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August 09, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Announce Investment in Conservation Program to Protect Whales Off Oregon Coast
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August 01, 2019
Wyden Introduces Bill to Improve Safety of Oil Trains, Protect Local Communities Against Derailments
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July 23, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Urge Protection of Citizen Engagement in Public Lands Management
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July 23, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Massive Investment in Central Oregon Infrastructure
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July 23, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Funding to Purchase New Electric Buses for TriMet
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July 22, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Walden Urge Feds to Ensure Long-serving Local Fire Departments Can Continue to Battle Blazes on Federal Lands
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June 26, 2019
Wyden Introduces Bill to Expand Disaster Relief to Fisheries Harmed by Tariffs
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June 26, 2019
Senators Wyden and Markey Lead Colleagues in New Legislation to Protect Rail Safety
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June 25, 2019
Wyden, Ernst, Bishop, Dingell Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
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June 21, 2019
Wyden, Cortez Masto Introduce Geothermal Energy Opportunities Act
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June 13, 2019
Wyden Presses Forest Service on Misguided Policy Change, Backlog of Wildfire Prevention Projects in Oregon
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June 12, 2019
Senators Introduce Legislation to Encourage Innovation, Boost Next-Generation Hydro Power
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June 12, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce $5.6 Million Investment in Lake County Railroad
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June 10, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill Directing Trump Administration to Meet Paris Climate Agreement Standards
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June 06, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Help Communities Protect Coastal Shorelines
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June 06, 2019
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Bolster Renewable Energy Development, Protect Power Grid from Natural Disasters
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May 23, 2019
Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Long-term Stability for Secure Rural Schools Program
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May 23, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Walden Urge Feds to Keep Letting Local Firefighters Battle Blazes on Federal Lands
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May 22, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Cleaner Transportation Fuel, Healthier Forests
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May 20, 2019
Merkley, Wyden, Bipartisan Senators to Trump Administration: Selling Off BPA Assets Would Increase Rates for Consumers
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May 16, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Welcome Restoration of Full SRS Payments for Counties and Schools
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May 15, 2019
Wyden Continues the Fight to Boost Recreation and Preserve Wildfire Prevention Work in Southwestern Oregon and near Molalla River
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May 14, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Grants for Rural Airports
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May 07, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Press Feds to Restore $14 Million in SRS Payments
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May 01, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act
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April 25, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Join Effort to Preserve Sea Grant Program Funding After Trump Administration Proposed Cuts
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April 24, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Press USDA to Ensure Timely Implementation of Conservation and Forest Management Programs
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April 03, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Support Three Eastern Oregon Forests
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April 02, 2019
Wyden Presses Energy Secretary on Trump Administration Proposal to Privatize Bonneville Power, Cut Budget for Hanford Cleanup
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March 29, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Demand Trump Reverse Proposed Cuts to Wildfire Prevention, Firefighting Budget
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March 28, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Secured $2.1 Million in Federal Disaster Recovery for Oregon Fisheries
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March 26, 2019
Wyden on Green New Deal Vote: “This is a sham debate.”
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March 18, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.5 Million for Offshore Wind Energy Research
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March 12, 2019
Wyden Welcomes Public Lands Bill Becoming Law
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March 05, 2019
Wyden Renews Call to Reform Tax Code to Kick the Carbon Habit
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February 26, 2019
Wyden on House Passage of Bipartisan Public Lands Bill: “Another Proud Chapter of Oregon’s Conservation Legacy”
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February 21, 2019
Wyden, Murkowski, Cantwell, Gardner, Feinstein Reintroduce Bill to Help Prepare and Protect Communities from Landslides
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February 21, 2019
Merkley, Wyden, Walden Push Changes to Law that Arbitrarily Excludes Rural Airports
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February 12, 2019
Wyden, Merkley Welcome Senate Passage of Public Lands Legislation
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February 07, 2019
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Introduce Green New Deal Resolution
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January 30, 2019
Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch, Manchin, Murkowski Urge Feds to Deliver SRS Payments ASAP
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February 15, 2018
Wyden, Merkley Push Zinke for Response to Five-Month-Old Sagebrush Request
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May 28, 2015
Honoring Frank Moore
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January 29, 2015
"No" on Keystone XL pipeline, Ron stands up for Oregonians
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June 02, 2014
Wyden: Inaction on Climate Change is No Longer an Option
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March 10, 2014
Wyden Stands #Up4Climate
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June 21, 2013
Wyden Floor Speech on Immigration Reform
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April 17, 2013
Baldface and Rough and Ready Creeks named to “Most Endangered Rivers” List
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March 29, 2013
Wyden, Merkley Applaud Sustainable Fisheries Decision
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January 04, 2013
Wyden, Murkowski Seek Answers on Coal Royalty Payments
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March 08, 2012
Wyden on EPA Boiler Rules
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April 19, 2011
Pew Mining Study Lists Chetco River Among Ten Most Threatened National Parks and Forests
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April 07, 2011
Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Trio of Bills to Protect Natural Resources in Oregon
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March 17, 2011
More than 17,000 Acres of Wilderness to Be Preserved by Wyden, Merkley Land Swap Bill
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February 18, 2011
Improved Commercial Air Service, Crater Lake Protections and UAV Testing Sites Included in FAA Bill
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February 03, 2011
Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Bills to Transfer Federal Property to La Pine and Wallowa
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February 01, 2011
Wyden, Merkley Amendment Will Protect Residential Through the Fence Agreements
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July 14, 2010
Wyden Questions Salazar about BP Spill
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April 30, 2010
"Shepherds Flat Wind Farm Will Move Forward"
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March 09, 2010
Merkley, Wyden Urge Obama Administration to Provide Immediate, Coordinated Drought Assistance for Klamath Basin
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October 15, 2009
Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Clears Senate and Heads For President's Desk
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August 18, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $6.8 Million For Deschutes National Forest Facility
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August 04, 2009
Wyden Statement on NOAA Decision to Move Fleet to Newport
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July 28, 2009
Wyden Vows to Ground Helicopter Tours at Crater Lake
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July 27, 2009
Wyden Issues Statement on Jonathan Jarvis, Park Service Nominee
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June 25, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Seek Molalla River Protection
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June 16, 2009
Wyden Asks BLM to Put Brakes on $10,000 in Fees for 2009 Cycle Oregon
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June 16, 2009
DEFAZIO, WYDEN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT DEVIL'S STAIRCASE, OREGON CAVES AND THE LOWER ROGUE
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May 22, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Applaud Obama Decision to Restore Salmon Recovery Money
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May 12, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Urge Funding for Salmon Disaster Relief
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April 30, 2009
Wyden Statement on Approval of $53 Million in Salmon Disaster Relief for Oregon Coastal Communities
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April 02, 2009
Wyden Urges End to Ban on Using Forest Waste for Alternative Fuels
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March 30, 2009
President Signs Public Lands Bill into Law
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March 25, 2009
Public Lands Bill Achieves Final Passage
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March 19, 2009
Senate Passes Public Lands Bill For Second Time
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February 19, 2009
Oregon Leaders Welcome Navy Decision to Hold Public Meeting on Its Plans for Coast
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February 06, 2009
Oregon Delegation Asks Ag Secretary for Disaster Declaration for Oregon Nurseries
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January 16, 2009
Wyden Asks Obama for Forest Restoration Funding
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January 15, 2009
Senate Passes Public Lands Bill
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January 10, 2009
Senate Set to Pass Public Lands Bill
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January 07, 2009
Wyden Assists Swift Introduction of Public Lands Bill
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December 24, 2008
Wyden Leads and Succeeds in 110th Congress
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December 24, 2008
Wyden Leads and Succeeds in 110th Congress
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December 15, 2008
Wyden-Requested IG Report on Interior Corruption Uncovers "Contempt for the Public Trust" and "Untold Waste"
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September 10, 2008
Wyden Calls for Major Reforms at Interior Department
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June 19, 2008
Wyden Proposes Dramatic Overhaul of Federal Forest Practices in Oregon
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June 18, 2008
Wyden Seeks Greater Protection for Rogue River and Oregon Caves Monument
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June 05, 2008
Wyden Seeks Permanent Protection for Badlands and Spring Basin
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May 27, 2008
Wyden announces wilderness legislation for Badlands in Deschutes County
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May 15, 2008
Farm Bill Passes with Illegal Logging Provision Intact
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May 15, 2008
Wyden statement on approval of $170 million in salmon disaster relief
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May 14, 2008
Wyden calls the EPA's Refusal to Meet with the City of Portland "Flagrantly Wrong"
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May 07, 2008
Wyden, Smith Move Siskiyou Grazing Buy Out Forward
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May 01, 2008
CLOSURE OF SALMON SEASON DECLARED A "FISHERIES FAILURE"
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April 08, 2008
Wyden Calls for Accountability at the Hanford Nuclear Waste Treatment Plant
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April 07, 2008
Wyden, Clinton, Lieberman, Dodd Seek Repeal of Federal Control Over LNG Terminal Siting
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January 30, 2008
Senate Committee Passes Copper Salmon Wilderness Act
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January 30, 2008
Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Restore Northwest Fisheries
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January 28, 2008
Wyden Statement on the State of the Union Address
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January 08, 2008
Wyden Says Pacific Northwest Forests in Trouble, Thinning Will Help Increase Forest Health, Reduce Fires, Increase Jobs
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December 14, 2007
Combat Illegal Logging Legislation Passes Senate
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December 03, 2007
Wyden Calls for Increased Thinning of Federal Forest Lands to Create jobs, Reduce Fire Danger, Improve Forest Health
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November 08, 2007
Veto Override Authorizes More Than $95 Million for Oregon Water Projects
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September 10, 2007
Wyden, DeFazio Introduce Legislation to Protect Copper Salmon as Wilderness
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August 01, 2007
"Combat Illegal Logging Act" Levels the Playing Field for American Business, Protects American Jobs and the Environment
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July 25, 2007
Senate Committee Approves Mount Hood Wilderness Expansion
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June 14, 2007
Wyden, Bennett Team Up to Put Millions of Fuel Efficient Vehicles on the Road
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May 22, 2007
Emerald Express to Receive Funding a Year Ahead of Schedule
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May 22, 2007
Wyden Calls for Accountability at Hanford Nuclear Waste Treatment Plant
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April 04, 2007
EPA Bows to Northwest Senators' Concerns on Airborne Benzene
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April 04, 2007
Renewed Hope for Salmon Fisherman Aid
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April 04, 2007
Wyden, Smith Introduce "Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007"
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April 04, 2007
Wyden to Head Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
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April 04, 2007
Senators Demand that EPA Protect Northwesterners' Health in Setting National Benzene Standards
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December 06, 2006
Wyden, Smith Secure FundsFor Oregon Natural Resource Projects
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December 06, 2006
Wyden, Bennett Launch Plan to Put Millions of Energy-Saving Vehicles on American Roads
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December 06, 2006
Wyden, Smith Propose More than 125,000 Acres for Wilderness Designation on Mount Hood and in Columbia River Gorge
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December 06, 2006
West Coast Senators Urge Disaster Relief forFishing Communities
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December 06, 2006
Salmon Fisheries Failure DeclaredEfforts turn to securing funding
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December 06, 2006
Wyden, Smith Introduce Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge Wilderness Bill
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December 06, 2006
Wyden slams Administrationproposal for salmon disaster relief
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December 04, 2006
Grants from Healthy Forests Law Fund Oregon Biomass Projects
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December 04, 2006
Wyden, Smith announce $50 million in tax credits for Ecotrustto develop sustainable forest management projectsin rural communities
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September 22, 2006
Wyden introduces Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2004
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September 19, 2006
Sweeping Mount Hood Protections Proposed
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September 19, 2006
New government report criticizes current wildfire suppression budget practices
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July 16, 2004
Wyden, Smith include oil spill provisions in Coast Guard reauthorization bill
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June 23, 2004
Wyden Wins Approval on Amendment to Keep Hopper Dredges Working in Pacific Ports
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June 21, 2004
Wyden-Smith Bill on Bend Pine Nursery Approved by House of Representatives
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June 17, 2004
Wyden obtains Energy Dept. commitment to meet maximum cleanup standards forHanford Nuclear Waste Tanks
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June 14, 2004
GAO Releases Smith-Wyden Requested Report on Pacific Groundfish
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June 01, 2004
Forest Service Agrees to Wyden Request to Split Biscuit Plan
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May 13, 2004
Senators Hail EPA Inspector General's Decision to Review Administration's Mercury Rule
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May 07, 2004
Wyden calls for full wildfire prevention funding for Healthy Forests Restoration Act
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April 08, 2004
Forest Service accepts Wydens proposal to create a Prineville forest health research center
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April 02, 2004
Wyden calls on Administration to move quicklyand protect Oregon jobs in Biscuit salvage
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March 25, 2004
Prepared remarks of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
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March 24, 2004
U.S. Senate committee approves Wyden's bill to establish Prineville forest health research center
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March 22, 2004
Smith-Wyden Bill Means Forestry Revenues Stay Home
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March 17, 2004
Smith, Wyden Announce Emergency Agriculture Aid
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March 10, 2004
Senate Committee Approves Wallowa Lake Dam Legislation
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March 04, 2004
Wyden, Smith Introduce Bill to Create Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
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February 24, 2004
Oregon Dunes, Winchester Bay Land Conveyance to Become Law
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February 18, 2004
Federal economic development agency threatensto leave distressed rural areas behind
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February 12, 2004
Wydens bill to create Prineville forest health research center garners Administration, local support in U.S. Senate hearing
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January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Secure Millions for Oregon, OSU Agriculture Research
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January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Secure $100 Million for Oregon Groundfish, Salmon Recovery Efforts
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January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Win Millions for Oregon Infrastructure Projects, Estuary Protection
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January 13, 2004
Wyden to President: Fully Fund Healthy Forests
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August 01, 2003
Wyden & Smith Announce Funding For Celilo Village
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May 01, 2003
Wyden Unswayed in Opposing New DOD Environmental Waivers
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October 04, 2002
Wyden Says Reducing Oil Consumption is in America's Economic, National Security Interests"