Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act

Key Points

• This bill designates approximately 924,000 acres of federal land in Malheur County, Oregon, as protected wilderness, while creating two new 'Special Management Areas' totaling about 40,000 acres for fire and weed control.
• It creates a new grazing program that gives local ranchers more flexibility to move cattle or change water locations by up to 14 days to respond to weather or drought without needing new environmental permits.
• The federal government would take over 28,000 acres of land to hold in trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe, including the Jonesboro Ranch and parts of the Castle Rock area, to protect tribal interests and cultural sites.
• A local group of eight people—including ranchers, tribal members, and conservationists—will be formed to propose and fund restoration projects like fixing springs, managing invasive weeds, and boosting the local economy.
• The policy ensures that even in protected areas, the government can still use trucks, helicopters, and planes to fight wildfires and stop invasive species from spreading.
• Lands not specifically named as wilderness will be released from strict 'study' rules, making it easier for the Bureau of Land Management to authorize grazing, recreation, and other traditional uses.

Votes

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Related Bills

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