32 have signed this petition

The rugged Oregon Owyhee country and its wild waters represent one of the most significant opportunities for stewardship and conservation collaboration in the entire West. They are an integral part of the entire sagebrush steppe landscape that supports more than 350 species of wildlife including California bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, chukar, greater sage grouse, and important fisheries like native redband trout. With such incredible fish and wildlife values, the Owyhees not only nourish some of Eastern Oregon’s most cherished landscapes; they also feed the traditions of hunters and anglers lucky and adventurous enough to make their way here.

Hunters and anglers have been working on the ground here for decades in both Oregon and Idaho to advance conservation solutions that keep these landscapes intact. By working together in Idaho, a diverse group of stakeholders was able to advance legislation to secure protection for 517,000 acres of the Owyhees’ vast upper highlands. While much of the river itself has been designated Wild and Scenic, the pristine backcountry lands in Oregon that flank her banks are still vulnerable to development interests such as uranium mining and energy exploration. We believe that by working with partners like ranchers, hunters, anglers, tribes, local governments, and state and federal land and wildlife management agencies, we can develop thoughtful ways to secure long-term landscape-level conservation policies that keep this place as it is—special. We must ensure that these measures elevate consideration for fish and wildlife habitat, protect or enhance access and promote land management policies that balance resource development, active habitat management needs and the interests of all stakeholders.