Poll finds strong support for Owyhee Canyonlands protection

Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service
ONTARIO, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Protecting the Owyhee Canyonlands is a popular idea for people from both major political parties, according to a new poll.
Polling firm John Zogby Strategies found 79% of likely Oregon voters would back legislation in Congress to protect this landscape, including 89% of Democrats, 65% of Republicans and 80% of people who identify as independents.
John Zogby is founder of the polling firm.
"It's safe to say that, while there may have been some differences - say, between Democrats and Republicans, between liberals and conservatives - that the support really was strong across the board," said Zogby.
Past attempts by Oregon's delegation to protect the Owyhees haven't gained traction. However, a portion of the Owyhee River and surrounding canyons already are federally protected on the Idaho side of the border.
The poll was commissioned by Citizens for the Republic, a political action committee founded by Ronald Reagan in 1977.
The poll also finds high percentages of support for protecting the environment and rivers in general, among both liberals and conservatives.
While the 'left' is usually associated with environmental causes, Zogby didn't find it surprising that conservatives also back conservation causes. He referenced polling he did before the 2000 election.
"The support for conservation, for preserving the environment, was very, very strong," said Zogby. "In fact, in some instances, stronger than their opposition to abortion. And so, this is one area of commonality that we can count on."
On the Owyhee Canyonlands, the poll also found support from a variety of groups, including 63% of hunters, 64% of anglers, and 68% of gun owners.
Only someone like Trump would not be in favor of this. How could it ever become a golf course or hotel if it’s protected?
You did read the poll information, right? 403 people out of a population of 4,253,590 (https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/oregon-population). In case you are wondering, that means this study is based on 0.000095% of the people in Oregon. I know, it is in favor of your agenda but “come on man”, really? Do you want one person in ten thousand to vote for you as well? Would you accept one person in ten thousand deciding to allow fracking in Oregon’s coastal waters? Would you accept one person in ten thousand deciding to allow unlimited clearcuts? Chump. Your messiah China Joe Obiden will solve everything in his first 100 days, no worries, be happy.
Joe Biden on January 20th will solve the biggest current problem which is lunatic Trump being in the Whitehouse.
So, no intelligent response, just a deflection. I have heard that ignorance is bliss and I believe you must be the happiest person in Oregon or even the West coast.
The devil is in the details. What does protected mean to you?
It can be protected the same way the steens mountain were. without the restrictions of a national monument.
It would be interesting to find out where in Oregon this “poll” was conducted, what time of the day and year it was conducted, and how they choose who was contacted.
some things are worth more than any amount of money will ever be – looks like some people just don’t understand the incredible gifts we have been given… ‘cus they don’t have a price tag on them
I am not going to argue that statement because it is subjective to the extreme. Although, it has nothing to do with a response to my statement. What I am concerned about is the false information supplied to the public using one (1) respondent to a poll of unknown details is equal to Ten thousand (10,000) Oregonion’s opinions. If you agree with that, then you should have no problem with selecting 1 person in 10,000 to cast a vote for you.