Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

12/25/2024, 9:05 AM

Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

This bill authorizes a grazing management program, designates wilderness areas, and holds land in trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe in Malheur County, Oregon.

Specifically, the Department of the Interior may carry out a grazing management program on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Malheur County to provide increased operational flexibility to grazing permittees and lessees to improve the long-term ecological health of the land. Interior must adopt cooperative rangeland monitoring plans and rangeland health objectives and monitor and evaluate the ecological health of the land.

The bill requires the Malheur C.E.O. Group to assist in carrying out this bill and establishes requirements for membership of the group. The group is directed to propose and support implementation of projects on BLM land, including ecological restoration, rangeland improvement, invasive species management, conservation of cultural sites, economic development, or recreation management.

The bill designates various wilderness areas, including the Mary Gautreaux Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness and the Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with Interior and the county, must work with the Oregon Tourism Commission (Travel Oregon) to establish certain loop roads. DOT must seek to arrange with the county to fund safety upgrades to the Owyhee Dam Road.

Further, the bill requires Interior to take land into trust on behalf of the Burns Paiute Tribe and establish a Castle Rock Co-Stewardship Area.

Bill 118 s 1890, also known as the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to empower the local communities in Malheur County, Oregon, by providing them with greater control over the management of public lands in the Owyhee Canyonlands.

The Owyhee Canyonlands is a vast and remote area in southeastern Oregon that is home to a diverse range of wildlife and natural resources. The area is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), but local residents have expressed concerns about the lack of input they have in the decision-making process regarding the use of these lands.

If passed, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act would establish a locally-driven management council made up of representatives from the local community, tribal governments, and other stakeholders. This council would work in collaboration with the BLM to develop and implement management plans for the Owyhee Canyonlands that take into account the needs and priorities of the local residents. The bill also includes provisions to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Owyhee Canyonlands, while also allowing for responsible recreational and economic activities to take place in the area. Additionally, the legislation aims to promote collaboration and cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies in the management of public lands. Overall, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act seeks to strike a balance between conservation and community empowerment, ensuring that the interests of local residents are taken into consideration when making decisions about the management of public lands in the Owyhee Canyonlands.
Congress
118
Number
S - 1890
Introduced on
2023-06-08
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/10/2024
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Passed in Senate

Purpose and Summary

Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

This bill authorizes a grazing management program, designates wilderness areas, and holds land in trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe in Malheur County, Oregon.

Specifically, the Department of the Interior may carry out a grazing management program on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Malheur County to provide increased operational flexibility to grazing permittees and lessees to improve the long-term ecological health of the land. Interior must adopt cooperative rangeland monitoring plans and rangeland health objectives and monitor and evaluate the ecological health of the land.

The bill requires the Malheur C.E.O. Group to assist in carrying out this bill and establishes requirements for membership of the group. The group is directed to propose and support implementation of projects on BLM land, including ecological restoration, rangeland improvement, invasive species management, conservation of cultural sites, economic development, or recreation management.

The bill designates various wilderness areas, including the Mary Gautreaux Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness and the Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with Interior and the county, must work with the Oregon Tourism Commission (Travel Oregon) to establish certain loop roads. DOT must seek to arrange with the county to fund safety upgrades to the Owyhee Dam Road.

Further, the bill requires Interior to take land into trust on behalf of the Burns Paiute Tribe and establish a Castle Rock Co-Stewardship Area.

Bill 118 s 1890, also known as the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to empower the local communities in Malheur County, Oregon, by providing them with greater control over the management of public lands in the Owyhee Canyonlands.

The Owyhee Canyonlands is a vast and remote area in southeastern Oregon that is home to a diverse range of wildlife and natural resources. The area is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), but local residents have expressed concerns about the lack of input they have in the decision-making process regarding the use of these lands.

If passed, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act would establish a locally-driven management council made up of representatives from the local community, tribal governments, and other stakeholders. This council would work in collaboration with the BLM to develop and implement management plans for the Owyhee Canyonlands that take into account the needs and priorities of the local residents. The bill also includes provisions to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Owyhee Canyonlands, while also allowing for responsible recreational and economic activities to take place in the area. Additionally, the legislation aims to promote collaboration and cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies in the management of public lands. Overall, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act seeks to strike a balance between conservation and community empowerment, ensuring that the interests of local residents are taken into consideration when making decisions about the management of public lands in the Owyhee Canyonlands.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to provide for the establishment of a grazing management program on Federal land in Malheur County, Oregon, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Potential Impact
Ecology•
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research•
Fires•
Forests, forestry, trees•
Hunting and fishing•
Indian lands and resources rights•
Intergovernmental relations•
Land transfers•
Land use and conservation•
Licensing and registrations•
Livestock•
Parks, recreation areas, trails•
Public-private cooperation•
Roads and highways•
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/24/2024

Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

This bill authorizes a grazing management program, designates wilderness areas, and holds land in trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe in Malheur County, Oregon.

Specif...

Latest Action12/24/2024
Held at the desk.