Place: Owyhee Canyonlands (Idaho)
Threat: ORV abuses, mining and overgrazing
 The Owyhee Canyonlands, located in the southwest
corner of Idaho and extending into Oregon and Nevada,
represents one of the largest unprotected wild places still
found in the lower 48 states.
The diverse landscape of the
Owyhee region consists of a maze-like system of steep,
colorful river canyons slicing through a broad sagebrush
sea and juniper-covered mountains. The biologically rich
area is home and critical habitat to California bighorn
sheep, redband trout, sage grouse, pronghorn antelope,
elk, deer, raptors and songbirds.
Located close to the quickly growing city of Boise, Idaho, the Owyhee country is a
popular recreation spot for hikers, mountain bikers, campers, hunters and fishermen. The
Owyhee River and nearby Bruneau River are recognized for their excellent whitewater
challenges. The remote and rugged Owyhee region is one of the few places left in the
disappearing American West where one can still experience the stark, silent beauty of the
high desert and traverse the rugged country on its own unforgiving, challenging terms.
These wildlands and wild rivers deserve permanent protection before fast growing levels
of ORV abuses, mining and overgrazing irrevocably change its character for the worse.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration is aggressively pursuing policies that remove
wilderness study area (WSA) protections administered by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) for these spectacular desert regions, allowing an increase in crosscountry
ORV activity onto roadless regions.
Sierra Club presented to BLM a citizen-led recommendation for administrative
protections. But just weeks afterwards Interior Secretary Gale Norton stopped citizen
wilderness inventories from being considered in any land use management plan. The
Bush administration is instead removing interim protection of many WSAs nationwide
and in the Owyhee Canyonlands. Without a means to stop threats like the dirt bike
incursion and creation of new, illegal "roads," the region stands to lose its wild character
permanently.
There is a better way. We can work together to undo the assaults of the Bush
administration against these wildlands. The Sierra Club continues to advocate for
protection of the Owyhee region, whether walking the Boise neighborhood streets
collecting postcard signatures, being at the local art event with Owyhee themed artwork
or hosting our wildly popular Owyhee Rendezvous way out in the canyonlands.
“The growing number of people joining our Owyhee Rendezvous this year is just one
more positive sign of the effect we’re having on the community to demonstrate the deep
public support for exploring and protecting the Owyhees,” says Duane Reynolds, a
volunteer with the Sierra Club in Idaho. “It’s the type of visible support decision makers
need to see and hear.”
In addition, the Sierra Club along with a diverse mix of local ranchers, fellow sportsmen,
Owyhee County commissioners, a coalition of conservationists and congressional staff
are working together on a collaborative framework for a plan that would preserve the
wild character of the unique Owyhee country. Draft results of that framework were
announced in the spring of 2004, Sierra Club then hosted a town hall meeting on the draft
seeking public input. Details are now being negotiated and improvements made, which
may soon lead to an acceptable agreement for the conservation community.
“This admittedly odd cast of characters just might be able to work out a deal that benefits
the landscape and the wildlife while gaining local community buy-in,” said Sierra Club
staffperson Roger Singer. “If so, this could be the first step to a package for the greater
tri-state Owyhee region. The Owyhees is where three states meet to form one national
treasure, and we must work together to protect this special place.”
Sierra Club Contact:
Jessica Ruehrwein, Boise: (208) 384-1023
Roger Singer, Seattle: (206) 378-0114
Additional Info:
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