Smith Wants Hells Canyon Road Reopened

Rep. Bob Smith, R-Ore., is preparing for battle with conservationists over his proposed reopening of a road along the rim of Hells Canyon.

Smith introduced a bill Friday to reopen Rim Road, which has been closed since the northeast Oregon wilderness area was designated in the 1970s. He said the road inadvertently was included in the wilderness area when Congress established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in 1975.

Environmentalists said there are plenty of other roads providing access to the canyon, and they will oppose the reopening because of the potential for harming wildlife.

But Smith, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said the Forest Service road provides access to several hiking trails and the most scenic overlooks of Hells Canyon.

“For years, Oregon’s residents traveled this road to experience the natural beauty of Hells Canyon,” Smith said. “Congress established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area to enhance and preserve public enjoyment of this valuable resource, not to cut off access to the area.”