The Wild
Preserving the Wild
From the dry pine forests of Central Oregon to the coastal temperate rainforests of the Tongass in Southeast Alaska, we work with a diverse coalition of conservation clients in Oregon, Washington and Alaska to advocate for sound forest management, sustainable outdoor recreation, and restoration of native fish and wildlife populations. Crag’s first case was to work with local community and conservation groups to protect the north side of Mt. Hood. Since then, we have expanded our efforts to protect public lands, wildlife, and native fish across the Pacific Northwest.
Public Lands
We, the public, own much of the land in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Government agencies manage these lands for a variety of uses, and if properly cared for, these lands can continue to provide clean air and water, healthy habitat for native fish and wildlife, and abundant recreational opportunities. To protect these wild lands for current and future generations, Crag launched the Public Lands Program in 2001.
Wildlife
Native Fish
The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its native fish populations. Although our rivers and streams once teamed with millions of trout and salmon, today, populations are only fractions of what they once were. It has been a decades-long struggle to protect native fish, which still face threats of extinction from rising water temperatures, pollution, dams, and drought. In support of efforts to revive native fish populations, Crag works with our clients to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems across our region.
What We’re Working On
Defending Southern Oregon from Unlawful Logging
The Forest Service is misusing an old rule to pursue massive new commercial logging projects that threaten thousands of acres of forest in Southern Oregon.
Protecting Large Trees in Eastern Oregon
In June 2022, Crag filed a lawsuit on behalf of six conservation groups, challenging a Trump-era rule change that allows logging of mature and old growth forests on over 7 million acres across Eastern Oregon and Washington.
Post-Fire Logging in Oregon
Crag and our client’s post-fire legal work has not only stopped several unlawful logging projects, but has reaffirmed our values of integrity, environmental protection, and community advocacy.
Advocating for Eelgrass Protection
Below the surface of the ocean, a type of seagrass with ribbon-shaped leaves and flowers that bloom every summer works to do everything a rainforest might do, but within a marine habitat. This fascinating and vital type of seagrass is called eelgrass. Eelgrass grows...
Unlawful Botched Repairs At Winchester Dam
Crag is representing a coalition of fishing and conservation organizations to intervene in the DEQ enforcement action to hold Basco Logging accountable for a botched repair at Winchester Dam.
B2H Threatens Historic Oregon Trail and Imperiled Sage-Grouse Populations
In the historically and culturally rich region of Eastern Oregon, dedicated organizations representing thousands of eastern Oregonians have filed a legal challenge to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) approval of the “B2H”...
Protecting Key Habitat for Coho Salmon in Oregon Coastal Watersheds
The two largest state forests in Oregon, the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, contain critical spawning and rearing habitat for the threatened Oregon Coast coho salmon. Since the Coho salmon spends half of its lifetime in riparian zones in forests like the...
Mt. Hood Wilderness Land Exchange
Mt. Hood is home to pristine wilderness, beautiful alpine lakes, scenic landscapes, and the historic Timberline Lodge. Since 2001, Crag has fought to protect the North Side of the mountain from Mt. Hood Meadows’ misguided development proposal.
Molalla Wastewater Treatment Plant Violations
The city of Molalla—located in Clackamas County, Oregon—is failing to protect the right to clean water. For over a decade, Molalla’s sewage treatment plant has violated the terms of its permit, undermining people’s health and the quality of the Molalla River.
Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Klamath Basin contains five National Wildlife Refuges established to protect fish, wildlife, and waterfowl habitat. Unfortunately, the refuges have been severely damaged and degraded from competing commercial agricultural uses over the last century.