The North Fork WSA contains a deep canyon that was cut by the North Fork of the Crooked River.  The 12.5 mile section of river that winds through the WSA was designated as Wild and Scenic in October 1988.  Rainbow trout abound in the North Fork’s pools and riffles, and deer and elk frequent the canyon throughout this crucial winter range.  Golden eagles and other raptors nest along the steep canyon walls and two bald eagle roosts have also been identified in the WSA. 

Located in both the Rocky Mountain forest and the Intermountain Sagebrush Provinces, the North Fork WSA would add an ecosystem to the National Wilderness Preservation System that is not currently represented at a state or federal level.   As there are no other areas in the country combining these two ecosystems that are under study for wilderness designation, the North Fork represents our only opportunity nationwide to preserve this unique habitat.

The North Fork WSA, which contains 1,125 acres of US Forest Service (USFS) Land, 10,985 acres of BLM land and 240 acres of split estate land, is dually managed by the BLM and USFS.