Senate considers adding more wilderness along the John Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this week the US Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests heard testimony in support of legislation that would protect as wilderness more than 16,000 acres along the John Day River in eastern Oregon’s rugged high desert. The Senate hearing is an important step for the landowners, local governments and conservationists who all support the proposal.

      The proposal, introduced as the Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Act in January by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would protect two large areas of important wildlife habitat and outstanding recreation opportunities. Situated along the lower John Day River near Clarno, Oregon, the areas range from dramatic basalt cliffs, to rolling hills of juniper, sagebrush and native grasses, to a hidden pine forest. The area offers world-class rafting, hiking, fishing and hunting opportunities, and is considered to be crucial habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and native trout.    

      “The Washington Family Ranch and their neighbors will benefit from the clearly-marked proposed boundaries,” said Forrest Reinhardt, who appeared before the committee on behalf of the ranch, owned by the Christian youth organization, Young Life, as well as the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA), a conservation group active in protecting and restoring wildlife habitats in eastern Oregon’s desert. “Also, the public will gain access to thousands of acres of BLM lands and the wilderness protection is a boon for fish and wildlife. It’s a win-win-win.” 

    The proposal involves several land swaps among the Young Life ranch, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and two other private landowners. In all, the BLM will take control of nearly 9,000 acres of river front lands, which will then be opened to the public in the new wilderness areas.

      “This protection will ensure a tremendous legacy of conservation for steelhead and other native trout, and at the same time provide incredible new recreational opportunities for hikers, hunters, boaters and anglers,” said Aaron Killgore of ONDA.

      In 1988, Congress protected the river canyon as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This newest proposal will expand the existing protection to the rugged upland areas that hug the river corridor. It is supported by Young Life and ONDA, as well as Jefferson, Wasco and Wheeler Counties, local businesses, and the Redmond Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association.