The areas to be protected include two BLM "Areas of Critical Environmental Concern". The bills are cosponsored by Rep Huffman and Sen Merkley. Text of the bills can be found at the links below.
Earlier this year, the four legislators secured temporary protection. The companion bills aim to provide permanent protection.
The unusual soils of Hunter Creek Bog host sundews, pitcher plants and orchids."Under the 1872 Mining Law, mining is treated as the highest and best use of America’s National Forests and Public Lands in the West. The Forest Service and BLM’s position is that can’t say no to mining—even by foreign owned corporations—unless an area is formally closed to operation of the antiquated law—known as a mineral withdrawal."
http://kalmiopsisrivers.org/the-protection-effort/
How to help:
http://kalmiopsisrivers.org/take-action/
Photos here:
https://www.google.com/#q="hunter+Creek ... hikers.org
Green serpentine rock, soils:
https://www.google.com/#q=serpentine+si ... hikers.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentinite
Botanist Nancy Brian's briefing on the area, hosted by the Native Plant Society of Oregon:
http://www.npsoregon.org/kalmiopsis/kal ... rcreek.pdf
Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-con ... e-bill/310
A bill to withdraw certain land located in Curry County and Josephine ...
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-con ... e-bill/192
Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act of 2015
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-con ... e-bill/682
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-con ... e-bill/346