---
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source_pdf: oregon-prosperity-council-report-june-2026.pdf
fingerprint: 8ac9aef8ca1b
page_range: [393, 396]
breadcrumb: ["Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback", "46. Wild Salmon Center"]
source_links:
  pdf: "https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=393"
  raw_pages:
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0393.txt"
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0394.txt"
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0395.txt"
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0396.txt"
---

# 46. Wild Salmon Center

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## TL;DR  *(generated · confidence: high)*

Wild Salmon Center submitted a comment to Oregon's Prosperity Council (June 1, 2026) urging integration of natural resource protection into the state's economic strategy. They argue healthy ecosystems—including forests, water, salmon, and outdoor recreation—are foundational to economic growth. They cite $16B in outdoor recreation spending (2022), $642M in commercial fisheries (2021), and demonstrate that habitat restoration generates significant local jobs and economic activity, calling for alignment with Governor's Executive Order 25-26.

**Key points** *(each cites a PDF page)*:

- Commercial fisheries in Oregon generated $642 million in 2021 alone ([p. 393](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=393))
- Outdoor recreation in Oregon supported $16 billion in spending and 192,000 full or part-time jobs in 2022 ([p. 394](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=394))
- Fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing contributed $1.2 billion in spending and supported 11,000 jobs, generating $385 million in labor income ([p. 394](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=394))
- Oregon Coast captured 17% ($2.053 billion) of total statewide spending and 59% (17 million) of all visitors to Oregon in 2018 ([p. 394](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=394))
- Between 2001 and 2010, habitat restoration in Oregon generated up to 6,400 jobs and more than $977 million in economic activity ([p. 395](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=395))
- Every $1 million invested in watershed restoration results in an average of 16 to 17 new jobs and $2.3 million in economic activity ([p. 395](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=395))
- 80 percent of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant funding remains in the county where the project is located ([p. 395](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=395))
- 53% of Oregonians believe that maintaining a quality environment attracts people and companies to Oregon ([p. 394](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=394))

Amounts: $642 million · $16 billion · 192,000 full or part-time jobs · $1.2 billion · 11,000 jobs · $385 million · $2.053 billion · 17% · Dates/FTE: 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2019 · Programs: Prosperity Roadmap · Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board · OWEB · Executive Order 25-26 · Governor's Executive Order 25-26 · Parties: Wild Salmon Center · Governor's Prosperity Council · Office of Governor Tina Kotek · Tim Knopp, Chief Prosperity Officer

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> **Source:** PDF [pp. 393-396](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=393) · raw: [393](../../.extracted/pages/page-0393.txt) · [394](../../.extracted/pages/page-0394.txt) · [395](../../.extracted/pages/page-0395.txt) · [396](../../.extracted/pages/page-0396.txt)

Breadcrumb: Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback > 46. Wild Salmon Center

---
June 1, 2026
sent via email: Prosperity.Roadmap@oregon.gov, tim.knopp@oregon.gov
Governor’s Prosperity Council
Tim Knopp, Chief Prosperity Officer
Office of Governor Tina Kotek, State of Oregon
900 Court Street, Suite 254
Salem, Oregon 97301
RE: Recommendations for development of statewide economic strategy by the Prosperity
Council
Dear Co-Chair James, Co-Chair Robinhold, Prosperity Council members, and Mr. Knopp:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments as the Prosperity Council develops its
recommendations to inform approaches to achieve goals outlined in the Prosperity Roadmap.
The Wild Salmon Center (WSC) works to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild
salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim. We identify science-based solutions to sustain wild
fish and the human communities and livelihoods that depend on them.
The Roadmap’s goals prioritize accelerating Oregon’s economic growth, creating more living
wage jobs today, and retaining and growing Oregon businesses. The Roadmap highlights
Oregon’s “exceptional quality of life, marked by clean air, abundant fresh water, and a stunning
natural environment” that make Oregon a desirable place to live. Our iconic rivers and
landscapes draw people and businesses to the state and motivates people to stay.
The natural values of Oregon’s lands and waters must be protected, for the health of all
Oregonians and the resilience of the businesses and communities that depend upon clean air and
water. The statewide economic strategy in development by the Prosperity Council must prioritize
the protection of natural resources as integral to a healthy Oregon and include strategies to
ensure cold clean water in Oregon’s rivers, thriving populations of wild fish, healthy forests, and
a growing restoration economy. All communities benefit from healthy ecosystems. Growth and
prosperity must be consistent with the protection of vital ecosystem services, which provide the
foundation for Oregon quality of life. These include healthy forests, cold clean water, tourism
and recreation, and restoration of habitat for fish and wildlife.
1. Healthy forests and abundant supplies of cold clean water support sustainable
economies and thriving communities across the state of Oregon.
Clean water and healthy forests that support fish and wildlife are integral to the livability
and welfare of Oregon communities. Abundant supplies of cold, clean water support
Oregon’s economy through irrigated agriculture, industrial uses, drinking water for
communities, recreation, tourism, and commercial fishing. In 2021, commercial fisheries
i
in Oregon generated $642 million alone. Healthy watersheds provide habitat for fish and
PO Box 10026, Portland, Oregon 97296 | 503.222.1804 | wildsalmoncenter.org

wildlife, store and slow down floodwaters, filter out pollutants, and buffer the impacts of
ii
fire and climate change.
Failing to adequately protect Oregon’s natural resources has real consequences for the
state’s economy, particularly under a changing climate. More extreme weather, from
increased flooding to drought, is projected to impact Oregon communities statewide.
Changes in precipitation that increase drought risk and decrease snowpack will have
significant impacts to irrigated agriculture and other industries that rely upon sustainable
supplies of clean water. The Oregon Climate Change Research Institute identifies
economic losses from smoke impacts to businesses and tourism, reduced timber prices
from wildfire exposure, and adverse public health outcomes related to increased wildfire
iii
smoke as projected effects of climate change.
Many Oregonians recognize and value the importance of protecting the state’s natural
resources. A 2023 Oregon Values and Beliefs survey found that 53% of Oregonians
believe that maintaining a quality environment attracts people and companies to Oregon.
The same survey also found that a majority of Oregonians believe that stronger
iv
environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost (63%). The Prosperity Council
must include the protection of Oregon’s natural resources as foundational to the health of
Oregon’s economy.
2. Tourism and outdoor recreation are important economic drivers that depend upon
a healthy environment.
Outdoor recreation in Oregon supported $16 billion in spending that supported 192,000
v
full or part-time jobs in 2022. As stated in a 2024 analysis by Earth Economics, “outdoor
recreation is an important part of Oregon’s identity” and a majority (95%) of Oregonians
vi
participate in outdoor recreation. Oregon’s rivers, forests, mountains, and coastlines are
vii
also a major driver of visitors to the state.
Fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing contributed $1.2 billion in spending by Oregonians
and visitors in 2019 and supported 11,000 jobs. These activities, which rely upon a
healthy environment that is protected and restored, generated $385 million in labor
viii
income. According to Travel Oregon, the Oregon Coast tourism economy is the second
largest in the state. In 2018 alone, the Oregon Coast captured 17% ($2.053 billion) of
ix
total statewide spending and 59% (17 million) of all visitors to Oregon (29.1 million).
The coastal Oregon counties of Lincoln, Lane, and Coos have the highest percent of the
x
labor force employed by spending in outdoor recreation.
3. Restoration investments are investments in local communities.
The labor, materials, and private-sector contracts that result from financial investments in
habitat restoration projects is often referred to as the “restoration economy” and offers
important benefits to Oregon communities. Increasing investments in these types of
projects can particularly benefit rural communities in Oregon. Communities that have
traditionally relied upon natural resource extraction are finding new strategies to use
PO Box 10026, Portland, Oregon 97296 | 503.222.1804 | wildsalmoncenter.org

natural resources that focus on environmental stewardship and ecological restoration. A
study of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) projects found that 80 percent
xi
of grant funding remains in the county where the project is located. Between 2001 and
2010, habitat restoration in Oregon alone generated up to 6,400 jobs and more than $977
xii
million. A University of Oregon study found that every $1 million invested in
watershed restoration results in an average of 16 to 17 new jobs and averages $2.3
xiii
million in economic activity. Additionally, researchers have found a strong local bias
for hiring related to restoration projects. Between 95% and 99.5% of restoration project
xiv
managers hired Oregon-based businesses for contracted work. The restoration economy
offers job creation potential and employment opportunities in fields such as construction,
engineering, natural resources. WSC encourages the Prosperity Council to consider the
economic benefits, particularly to rural communities and local businesses, connected to a
growing restoration economy here in Oregon.
We urge the Prosperity Council to ensure that any recommendations are aligned with the
majority of Oregonians that value a healthy environment and protections for clean air and water.
These recommendations should prioritize the protection of Oregon’s natural resources, and the
need for regulations and agencies that implement those protections on behalf of the public. These
recommendations should also be aligned with the Governor’s Executive Order 25-26 that directs
xv
state agencies to promote the resilience of Oregon’s lands and waters. Further, any
recommendations should address barriers to supporting a thriving recreation and restoration
economy. Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
Stacey Detwiler
Oregon Policy Director
Wild Salmon Center
i
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon Commercial and Marine Recreational Fishing Industry Economic
Activity for Years 2020 and 2021.
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/docs/TRG%20Oregon%20fishing%20industry%202020-2021%20ES.pdf
ii
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. State Wildlife Action Plan: Water Quality and Water Quantity.
https://swap.oregon.gov/key-conservation-issue/water-quality-and-quantity/.
iii
Fleishman, E., editor. 2025. Seventh Oregon climate assessment. Oregon Climate Change Research Institute,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. https://doi.org/10.5399/osu/1181.
iv
Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, Environment and Land Use, 2023 https://oregonvbc.org/environment-and-
land-use/
v
Mackey, E., Cousins, K., 2024. Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Oregon: 2022 Update. Earth
Economics. Tacoma, WA.
vi
Mackey, 2024.
vii
OPRD (2018). Outdoor Recreation in Oregon: Responding to Demographic and Societal Change. Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department. Salem, OR
viii
Mojica, J., Cousins, K., Madsen, T., 2021. Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Oregon. Earth
Economics. Tacoma, WA. Factsheet available https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/docs/Factsheet-
Economic%20Impact%20OR%20Counties-Earth%20Economics%202019.pdf.
PO Box 10026, Portland, Oregon 97296 | 503.222.1804 | wildsalmoncenter.org

ix
Travel Oregon. Regional Cooperative Tourism Program. 2019. https://industry.traveloregon.com/wp-
content/uploads/2019/10/Oregon_Coast-4.pdf
x
Mackey, 2024.
xi
Bonner, K., and M. Hibbard. 2002. The economic and community effects of Oregon Watershed Enhancement
Board Investments in Watershed Restoration. University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment,
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Briefing Papers.
xii
Ecotrust. 2012. Oregon’s Restoration Economy, Investing in natural assets for the benefit of communities and
salmon. p. 4. http://www.ecotrust.org/our-programs/water/.
xiii
Nielsen-Pincus, M., and C. Moseley. 2010. Economic and employment impacts of forest and watershed
restoration in Oregon. University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Ecosystem Workforce
Program, Working Paper Number 24, Spring 2010; Edwards, P.E.T., A.E. Sutton-Grier and C.E. Coyle. 2013
Investing in nature: Restoring coastal habitat blue infrastructure and green job creation. Marine Policy 38:65-71.
xiv
Nielsen-Pincus, M. and C. Moseley. 2010. “Economic and Employment Impacts of Forest and Watershed
Restoration in Oregon.” University of Oregon: Ecosystem Workforce Program, Working Paper 24.
xv
Executive Order 25-26 “Directing State Agencies to Take Urgent Action to Promote the Resilience of Our
Communities and Natural and Working Lands and Waters.”21 October 2025. https://www.oregon.gov/gov/eo/eo-
25-26.pdf.
PO Box 10026, Portland, Oregon 97296 | 503.222.1804 | wildsalmoncenter.org

---

Parent: [Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback](./INDEX.md) · PDF: [pp. 393-396](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=393)