ONDA calls for additional protection for John Day Basin

The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) submitted their comments on the Draft John Day Resource Management Plan to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today.  “This is a crucial time for the John Day Basin, and the BLM has the opportunity to manage the river in a way that will help it thrive and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy this magnificent landscape,” said Brent Fenty, the executive director of the ONDA.  “The current plan does not go far enough to protect clean water and fish and wildlife habitat, and we hope that the BLM will give our suggestions serious consideration as they craft their final plan,” he continued. 
The final John Day Resource Management Plan (RMP) will determine the management course that the BLM will take for the basin over the next 15 years, and is a part of a larger planning process for the region. ONDA worked closely with statewide groups, landowners and other stakeholders before presenting their proposed changes to the BLM.  Among these recommendations are greater protection for lands on the North Fork of the John Day and better control of off-highway vehicle use and livestock grazing in the John Day Basin. 

One of ONDA’s major focuses in their comments is recommending that the BLM allow voluntary permit retirement in order to better protect clean water, fish and wildlife habitat in the John Day River Basin.   "Historic grazing abuses along rivers and streams in the basin have resulted in severe damage to steelhead habitat.  We are working with the local watershed council to restore some of these areas to their natural state, and the BLM has had a big role in ensuring the success of these projects.  By allowing ranchers to voluntarily retire their permits when they are done grazing a certain area, the BLM can help ensure that the improvements that are currently underway have a lasting impact,” said Fenty.

Aaron Killgore, ONDA’s John Day Coordinator, expressed hope for improvements to the plan that would benefit both ranchers and the health of the basin. "The proposed grazing matrix is a fantastic opportunity for ranchers to look towards the future.  We are working with landowners who take pride in their healthy rangelands, and allowing for voluntary retirement of grazing permits would allow ONDA and other groups to compensate ranchers in cash for their commitment to the conservation of sensitive rivers and streams,” he said. 

ONDA is also recommending that 37 miles of the North Fork John Day River, from Camas Creek to Monument, be protected as a Wild and Scenic River.  A Wild and Scenic designation protects the river corridor from inappropriate development and preserves the river's free-flowing nature while helping to protect and improve water quality, as well as the river's unique historic, cultural, scenic, ecological, and recreational values. Wild and Scenic designations can also spur the local economy by boosting recreation and tourism, raising property values, and improving the quality of life.

The John Day River is the second longest undammed river in the continental United States.  Along with its tributaries, it supports the largest runs of wild steelhead in the entire Columbia River system.  Outdoor enthusiasts from Oregon and beyond visit the John Day River Basin to fish, raft, hike, hunt, horseback ride, and take in the breathtaking scenic vistas of high-desert sagebrush steppes and ponderosa woodlands.  

CLICK HERE to read ONDA's comments on the John Day RMP.