The headwaters of the North Fork of the Elk River on the South Coast would gain wilderness protection if the legislation gets final U.S. Senate approval.

Five segments of the legislation affect Oregon lands, including the Copper Salmon Wilderness Act. It would add about 13,000 acres of new wilderness in the Elk River drainage and designate 9.3 miles of wild and scenic rivers.

The legislation originally was sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Congressman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. DeFazio said the legislation also would protect some of the last remaining stands of Port Orford cedar in the Elk River watershed.

Some South Coast fishermen and legislation advocates tout the Elk as Oregon’s last and best coastal salmon and steelhead stream. Oregon State University researchers have said the Elk is one of the healthiest habitats in the lower 48 states for anadromous fish, DeFazio has said.

On Sunday, Oregon’s newest senator, Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, cast his first vote in the Senate with this legislation.

“I wish this bill had passed sooner, but I am very proud to be able to cast my first vote in support of Oregon’s natural resources,” he said in a press release.