![]() In a rare show of unanimity, the timber industry, environmentalists, the Coos County Commission and the BLM attacked the plan, and in an advisory, Coos County voters overwhelmingly rejected it. The "giveaway" of public lands smelled bad to the locals. However, in 1989, Hatfield helped the tribe regain federal recognition. The Coquilles had lost their tribal status in 1954. Hatfield initially wanted a proposal to transfer nearly 59,000 acres of BLM lands in western Oregon to the small tribe, based in the coastal town of Coos Bay. Its main gripe centered on a controversial federal land transfer to the Coquille Tribe. After four months of intense negotiations, ONRC pulled its support. Hatfield, apparently viewing the Opal Creek bill as one of his last opportunities to complete some unfinished business, tacked on several contentious amendments. It provided permanent protection for a remarkable old-growth forest, and the timber industry did not openly oppose the measure.īut the greased wheels started squeaking over the summer months. "It's amazing to me he is doing it now."ĭespite their surprise, or cynicism, groups such as ONRC initially supported the Opal Creek bill. "He could have done it with a snap of his fingers in 1984, or before or after," said Tim Lillebo of the Oregon Natural Resources Council. In 1994 he refused to support an Opal Creek protection bill sponsored by former Rep. He withdrew support for protecting Opal Creek in the 1984 Oregon Wilderness Act and the 1988 Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Hatfield has made a career out of wielding his power as chairman or ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee to benefit Oregon's timber industry. "I have always felt this area should be protected in perpetuity from commercial timber harvesting and mining," Hatfield intoned on the Senate floor.Įnvironmentalists were quick to note the irony. The Oregon Republican, retiring next January after 30 years in the Senate, introduced the Oregon Resources Conservation Act, a bill to protect nearly 26,000 acres of never-logged forest by establishing a wilderness and scenic and recreation area. Mark Hatfield announced that he would at last grant their wish. Since the wilderness battles of the early 1980s, Oregon forest activists have fought to protect Opal Creek, a lovely, nearly intact old-growth watershed on the western flank of the Oregon Cascades. Opal Creek, the Opal Pool, and Opal Lake are named after Opal Elliott, the wife of early Forest Service ranger Roy Elliott.Like Tweet Email Print Subscribe Donate Now The Kopetski Trail continues south towards Cedar Flats on the east bank of Opal Creek. Opal Pool is best viewed from several vantage points on the west bank of the creek. From the bridge, you can also view Opal Pool Falls. After a short distance, you will find the trail that leads to a bridge over the creek with a view of the Opal Pool. Follow the signs on the gravel road northeast out of town. The Opal Pool can be found by hiking just beyond the historic mining town of Jawbone Flats. Opal Pool is located at the head of a small chasm on Opal Creek. Whetstone Mountain-Battle Ax Creek Loop Hike ( TH | | LOG).Opal Pool-Cedar Flats Hike ( TH | | LOG). ![]()
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