Northwest Environmental News

Interior Department Not Working On Owyhee Wilderness Designation

By Amanda Peacher

Published March 4, 2016 at 11:58 AM PST

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said Tuesday that she is not aware of any coordination between her office and the White House about a conservation proposal for the Owyhee.

Last year, Portland-based Keen Footwear launched a campaignto convince President Obama to designate 2.5 million acres in southeast Oregon as an Owyhee Canyonlands national monument.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association has been talking about a wilderness designation for years, but that can only happen through Congress. Obama has already created or expanded 19 national monuments. The prospect of a Democratic president designating a monument in the Owyhee has galvanized some local residents in opposition, and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, opposes the idea.

Walden asked Jewell directly if the Interior Department is involved in such an effort.

Jewell said, at the moment, she’s not coordinating with the White House for an Owyhee monument.

"It’s one of those things people have recommended to us," Jewell said. "But we have not held any community meetings, and we haven’t had any discussions in those communities. People haven’t been actively in my office asking about it.”

Walden told Jewell that he was worried about an unexpected “dark of night” designation from Obama.

There’s nothing in the Antiquities Act that requires a president to work with the Interior Department on new national monuments. But Obama has involved Jewell in past designations.

Walden also asked Jewell to let him know if her office does become involved in a monument process, and she agreed to do so.

<p>Residents and conservationists disagree over what should be done to protect the Owyhee region in southeastern Oregon.</p> — Residents and conservationists disagree over what should be done to protect the Owyhee region in southeastern Oregon.

<p>Far away from city lights, this remote corner of Southeast Oregon provides great views of the night sky.</p> — Far away from city lights, this remote corner of Southeast Oregon provides great views of the night sky.

<p>Rancher Bob Skinner says the Owyhee is already protected, by its isolation and remoteness. "If we get a big influx of people coming in here because they shine a spotlight on it with a monument, that is what’s going to be the problem," Skinner said.</p> — Rancher Bob Skinner says the Owyhee is already protected, by its isolation and remoteness. "If we get a big influx of people coming in here because they shine a spotlight on it with a monument, that is what’s going to be the problem," Skinner said.

<p>Leslie Gulch in Southeastern Oregon features sheer rock walls and red rock formations.</p> — Leslie Gulch in Southeastern Oregon features sheer rock walls and red rock formations.

<p>Cheatgrass dominates the landscape in the Owyhee. The invasive species is a problem in much of Eastern Oregon.</p> — Cheatgrass dominates the landscape in the Owyhee. The invasive species is a problem in much of Eastern Oregon.

<p>Giant red rock formations protrude from grassy, rolling hills. Although the Owyhee is known for its canyons, the majority of the land mass in the area is high desert sagebrush country. </p> — Giant red rock formations protrude from grassy, rolling hills. Although the Owyhee is known for its canyons, the majority of the land mass in the area is high desert sagebrush country.