Regional Economic Impacts of Recreation
on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River (5.4MB)

In May 2008, the Wild Rogue Alliance engaged ECONorthwest to analyze the economic impacts of recreation related spending on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River.  The results of the economic impact analysis and the surveys show that Josephine County and the state of Oregon enjoy direct economic benefits from recreational activities on the Rogue. Among the findings, the report concludes that river-based recreation on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River, which includes rafting, fishing, hiking, and jetboat tours, accounted for not less than $30 million in total economic output, including $15.4 million in personal income, and 445 full- and part-time jobs.

The Economic Value of Rogue River Salmon (640kB)

In 2008, the Wild Rogue Alliance engaged ECONorthwest to analyze the economic value of salmon and steelhead in the Wild & Scenic Rogue River. Salmon are the quintessential icon of the Pacific Northwest with significant cultural and economic value.  The report concludes that West coast residents alone enjoy more than $1.5 billion in economic benefit each year from the entirety of all Rogue River salmon and steelhead runs. Maintaining the current level of protection on the Rogue may not be sufficient to ensure that current and future residents will be able to enjoy this level of economic benefit.

Most Endangered Rivers Report, 2008 (2.3MB)

The report highlights ten rivers whose fate will be decided in the coming year, and encourages decisionmakers to do the right thing for the rivers and the communities they support. The report presents alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers, identifies those who make the crucial decisions, and directs the public to opportunities to take action on behalf of each listed river. The Rogue was listed as number 2 on this report!
 

White Paper on the Biological Contributions of Tributary Streams to the Wild Rogue River (2.8MB)

Tributary streams in the Wild Rogue basin provide critical biological benefits and services to aquatic species and riparian habitats. These streams supply fish habitat for anadromous fish (such as coho salmon and steelhead) which are estimated to be present in approximately 100 stream miles across fourteen tributary streams (BLM, Kelsey Whisky FEIS, 2003).