June 1999

Bioregion Spotlight:
Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Preserve

This month we visit the Greater Hells Canyon/Wallowa Ecosystem of the Wild Rockies Bioregion. The Hells Canyon of the Snake River--the deepest river-carved canyon in the world--forms the core of this mostly vertical ecosystem. America's largest elk herd roams the old growth ponderosa pine and larch forests beneath the high peaks of the Wallowa and Seven Devils Mountains. The region abounds in cultural and archeological sites. The Imnaha River Chinook are among the largest salmon in the nation.

In February, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) was introduced to the House of Representatives as H.R. 488. Section 301 of this groundbreaking bill proposes that much of this ecosystem be protected as Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Preserve. We hope you'll take a few minutes to explore the Hells Canyon area with us: view its stunning landscapes, learn about its extraordinary features and the pressures threatening them, and examine the proposal to protect this unique ecosystem.

Thanks to AWR member organization Hells Canyon Preservation Council for helping us put together this month's Spotlight.

Browse our Bioregion Spotlight archive, each month we focus on a unique area or species of the Wild Rockies.

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Alliance for the Wild Rockies
PO Box 8731 • Missoula, Montana • 59807
Phone: 406-721-5420 • Fax: 406-721-9917
E-mail: awr@wildrockies.org

Content Copyright 1999 Alliance for the Wild Rockies, unless otherwise noted.

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