Third National Monument Proposed for Southern Oregon

MEDFORD, Ore. -- Conservationists are proposing a third national monument in southwestern Oregon to protect rare native plants and wildlife corridors.

The proposed Siskiyou Crest National Monument would be made up of federal land straddling the Oregon-California border, and serve as a habitat link between the Oregon Caves and Cascade-Siskiyou national monuments.

Joseph Vaile of the group Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center in Ashland says hundreds of jobs could be created restoring forests, streams and roads in the area filled with rare plants and important wildlife corridors.

Dave Schott of the Southern Oregon Timber Industries Association argues that shutting out logging in the area would make it harder to control wildfires.