Merkley intros Sutton Mtn.-Painted Hills wilderness bill

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced Thursday the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act, to create federal wilderness in the area of Sutton Mountain and the iconic Painted Hills and to promote economic development in the area.

The proposal, which was developed in close collaboration with the local community, would create new economic opportunities in Wheeler County and Central Oregon, and designate cherished public land in Oregon as wilderness and protect it for future generations, the senator said.

“Working together to preserve Oregon’s unique places and grow jobs and our economy at the same time is a win-win,” said Merkley. “With this legislation, we have an opportunity to make sure that future generations will be able to experience these incredible Oregon landmarks unspoiled — and to create jobs and economic opportunity at the same time. I thank the Wheeler County community for their impressive work in developing this proposal.”

“We’re pleased to see this moving forward, as we believe the bill will offer the area an economic boost,” Wheeler County Judge Chris Perry said. “As home to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, we know that tourism and recreation can help support businesses. These businesses will also benefit from those who come to appreciate Sutton Mountain.”

By creating new wilderness areas around Sutton Mountain and the iconic Painted Hills, the legislation ensures their preservation for decades, and would put these incredible destinations more prominently “on the map” for outdoors lovers in Oregon and across America.

Additionally, the legislation will empower the surrounding region to create jobs and grow the local economy by providing 2,000 acres of land for Wheeler County to pursue economic development projects that will help attract and host more visitors, the senator said.

The types of projects the county is considering, such as an RV park, search and rescue training facilities, or an airstrip, will help make the region a more attractive and accommodating destination for travelers, who in turn will spend money in the local communities and help boost local business.

The legislation would designate roughly 58,000 acres of wilderness on four new tracts in Wheeler County independently known as Sutton Mountain, Pat’s Cabin, Painted Hills, and Dead Dog.

These tracts of public land would provide recreational access and views to Sutton Mountain, the Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and additionally connect to the Wild and Scenic John Day River.

The new wilderness areas will offer extensive recreation opportunities, such as day hikes, backpacking trips, river floats, horseback rides, fishing, and hunting, expanding the local recreation and tourism economy, supporters said.

The proposed wilderness areas encompass a diversity of habitat types including grasslands, riparian areas, sagebrush shrub steppe, woodlands, and forests. New wilderness in these areas would provide essential habitat for many native species.

The legislation is supported by local governments, communities, and stakeholders, including:

Wheeler County
The City of Mitchell Redmond Chapter of Oregon Hunters Association Oregon Natural Desert Association Central Oregon Flyfishers Lower Columbia Canoe Club Audubon Society of Portland Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club Pew Charitable Trust

—
News release from the Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association:

The Oregon Natural Desert Association applauds Senator Jeff Merkley for his leadership to develop legislation to protect Sutton Mountain as wilderness. Today Senator Merkley introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate to protect Sutton Mountain, one of the gems of the John Day River Basin, which will be a tremendous new wilderness area.
The Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act of 2015 would create the Sutton Mountain Wilderness Area, protecting roughly 58,000 acres of public land known for spectacular scenery, ample recreation and prime wildlife habitat.

“We’re grateful for the efforts of Senator Jeff Merkley to protect a truly spectacular part of the state’s high desert,” said Brent Fenty, ONDA’s executive director. “His leadership will benefit the economy of the John Day region, the wildlife that calls these areas home and generations of Oregonians who will cherish these wild lands.”

ONDA has long advocated protection for the see-for-miles vistas, deep canyons and fascinating geology of Sutton Mountain. The area is prime habitat for elk, mule deer and raptors, as well as plants found nowhere else in the world. The Sutton Mountain bill contains protection for Pat’s Cabin, Dead Dog Canyon and Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Areas as well.

Introduction of the bill comes after the Wheeler County Board of Commissioners and the Mitchell City Council both unanimously endorsed the Sutton Mountain Wilderness Proposal. Local officials cited economic growth as a prime reason for doing so, in particular a proposed 1,959-acre land transfer of lands that had long been privately held but due to a land exchange with the Bureau of Land Management in the early 1990’s County residents have sought a return of the parcel to Wheeler County. This parcel would allow Wheeler County to pursue public uses such as a police facility, airstrip and county-owned RV campground.

“We’re pleased to see this moving forward, as we believe the bill will offer the area an economic boost,” Wheeler County Judge Chris Perry said. “As home to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, we know that tourism and recreation can help support businesses. These businesses will also benefit from those who come to appreciate Sutton Mountain.”

To learn more about ONDA’s work on this conservation initiative, visit ONDA.org/SuttonMountain and ONDA.org/SevenWonders.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association is a Bend-based nonprofit organization that has worked to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert, including in the John Day River Basin, for more than 25 years. Learn more at ONDA.org