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| Owyhee Protection Makes Progress in Congress |
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Idaho Rivers United has been working for years to protect the incredible rivers of the Owyhee Canyonlands. Now, after much hard work and negotiation, Senator Mike Crapo has introduced the Owyhee Public Lands Management Act in Congress. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the bill on May 7 and it now moves to a vote in the Senate.
This comprehensive bill will designate 517,000 acres of Wilderness on public lands in Idaho and establish 316 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. This will be Idaho's single largest addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers system since 1980's Central Idaho Wilderness Act.
Idaho Senator Larry Craig indicated support for the bill at an April 22 hearing, a change of position from 2006. Thank you to everyone who contacted him.
Idaho Rivers United supports the Owyhee Initiative because it will:
- Protect the most spectacular landscapes, rivers and wildlife habitat in the Owyhee Canyonlands.
- Help end decades of costly and bitter battles over how best to manage and maintain our precious public lands and rivers in Owyhee County.
- Protect a way of life unique to Owyhee County, and protect ranching families and family businesses by providing more certainty about public land management.
- Provide the Bureau of Land Management with better tools for managing public lands and waters in the region.
- Protect tribal interests and the rich Native American heritage of the region.
In addition to calling for the Wild & Scenic and Wilderness designations, Senator Crapo's bill:
- Establishes a conservation and research center to recommend and coordinate scientific research in the Canyonlands.
- Provides an infrastructure to stop indiscriminate off-road and off-trail travel by motorized vehicles.
- Ensures continued federal and local collaboration in protecting resources.
- Protects access for recreationists to the rivers and wildlands to be protected.
Rivers proposed for designation in the bill include some of the most spectacular, unprotected rivers and canyons in the United States. All river segments are located in Idaho. They include:
- East Fork Owyhee (also know as the Main Stem)
- North Fork Owyhee
- South Fork Owyhee
- Bruneau
- Jarbidge
- Little Jacks Creek
- Big Jacks Creek
- Sheep Creek
- As well as sections of key Owyhee tributaries, including Deep Creek, Battle Creek, Red Canyon Creek and Dickshooter Creek.
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