Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act
House Panel Reviews Bill to Protect 924,000 Oregon Acres, Expand Burns Paiute Tribal Lands
Legislative Progress
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articlesRep. Bentz Introduces Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act
Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) introduced H.R. 6777 to establish a grazing management program in Malheur County, providing permit holders with operational flexibility to adapt to environmental changes. The bill aims to balance agricultural needs with conservation through ecological assessments.
Republican wilderness plan the focus of feisty hearing
A House subcommittee held a contentious hearing on Rep. Cliff Bentz’s proposal to designate 926,588 acres of wilderness in the Owyhee Canyonlands. While Bentz lobbied for the bill as a compromise, some conservationists argued it prioritizes grazing and allows motorized access in protected areas.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz Will Introduce His Own Bill on Owyhee Protections
Rep. Cliff Bentz announced the 'Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act' as a Republican alternative to Senator Wyden's proposal. The move followed pressure from conservation groups for a national monument designation, which both Bentz and Wyden oppose in favor of legislation.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
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