You might have missed the good news

These days, it can be easy to miss the good news.

You should know that earlier this month, the Senate passed the most significant public lands legislation in a decade.

And it passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support, 92-8.

The bill will protect 1.3 million acres across the country from development, as well as hundreds of miles of rivers.

It also permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which uses revenue from federal oil and gas drilling leases to preserve wilderness areas.

Above all, I'm proud that this lands bill includes my provisions to protect more than 130,000 acres of special places in Oregon, including the Devil's Staircase, as well as designating 250 miles of wild and scenic rivers. It also bans mining in the Chetco River to keep drinking water safe and to protect endangered salmon.

Oregon contains some of our country's most breathtaking scenery, and I'm thrilled knowing that so much of our state's natural beauty will be preserved for future generations.

In short: this legislation is a huge win for our public lands, environment and recreation economy, in Oregon and across America.

Ron