Wilderness Update Fall 2025
Last Creek Roadless Area – Protecting the Upper South Umpqua 
The Roadless Rule, a cornerstone of national forest protection, is currently in danger of being rescinded. This rule safeguards undeveloped forests from road building and logging, helping preserve habitat, clean water, and cultural heritage across millions of acres. Its loss would threaten landscapes across Oregon — including the Last Creek Roadless Area, a vital 8,000-acre wildland in the Umpqua National Forest.
Oregon contains nearly 2 million acres of roadless lands, while the Umpqua National Forest alone holds 110,000 acres. These areas provide habitat to more than 220 wildlife species listed as threatened, endangered, or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act and support over 1,400 sensitive species tracked by the U.S. Forest Service. They also supply clean drinking water to more than 60 million Americans. Despite fears from industry, the Roadless Rule reduced national timber harvests by less than 0.5%, underscoring its high benefit and low cost.
Why Last Creek Matters
Nestled east of Myrtle Creek in Douglas County, the Last Creek Roadless Area lies in the heart of the one-million-acre Umpqua National Forest and is classified as “Roadless Management Area”. This steep, rugged landscape rises from 2,000 up to 5,000 feet, culminating in striking high points like Vision Mountain (Big Squaw) and Black Rock Butte, where trails offer panoramic views over the proposal site.
Much of Last Creek Watershed is a network of conifer-studded meadows and deep ancient forests where conifers such as Douglas-fir, sugar pine, incense cedar, and western hemlock tower over the landscape. Some trees are more than 800 years old, representing some of the last stands of true old growth in southern Oregon. Beneath these giants, diverse shrubs, wildflowers, and ferns thrive — camas and monkey flowers in moist meadows, pacific rhododendrons in bloom, and sword ferns in shaded ravines.
This ecological richness results from the convergence of multiple geologic and ecological zones, creating a mosaic of habitats that support both northern and southern species mixes unique to this region.
Fish, Wildlife, and Water
The forested backcountry of Last Creek provides a refuge for abundant wildlife. It is a key habitat for old-growth indicator species like the northern spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and pine marten, while also supporting large mammals such as elk, deer, bear, cougar, and bobcat. Smaller animals, from snowshoe hares and otters to raccoons, mink, and rare silver-gray squirrels, thrive here. Upland birds like mountain quail, grouse, and blue grouse also find critical habitat in these forests.
Last Creek’s east and west forks drain into the South Umpqua River, a watershed home to endangered salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout. Its streams run cold and clean, making the basin a federally designated Tier 1 Watershed, supporting vital populations of rare and threatened salmon runs and is essential to the health of the South Umpqua River. Portions of the watershed also extend north into the Little River and North Umpqua drainage, enhancing its regional significance.
Protecting headwaters like Last Creek does more than sustain fish and wildlife — it sustains people. Communities including Canyonville, Riddle, Myrtle Creek, and Winston depend on these upland streams for municipal drinking water. Unfortunately, nearby areas such as Boulder Creek have already suffered damage from logging and road construction, illustrating what’s at stake if protections are rolled back.
Cultural and Recreational Significance
The Last Creek area is not only biologically rich but also culturally significant. It remains an area of continuous Indigenous use, with cultural practices and ceremonies tied to its meadows, waters, and forests. Today, it is also used by the broader community for hunting, berry picking, hiking, and camping, keeping alive the deep connection between people and land.
Why Protection Is Urgent
Designating Last Creek as wilderness would safeguard:
- Ancient forests — some of the last 800-year-old stands in the Umpqua.
- Drinking water quality for multiple communities.
- Critical tributary for salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout.
- Cultural sites and Indigenous traditions.
- Resilience against wildfire, drought, and climate change.
With the Roadless Rule under threat, the future of places like Last Creek hangs in the balance. Communities, wildlife, and water supplies all rely on keeping these lands intact.
Take Action
The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule. Your voice matters in protecting Oregon’s wild heritage.
Submit your comment by September 19th using the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-0001