Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley have introduced legislation to create designated Wilderness within Oregon and Idaho. Because this legislation has never had enough support to be passed proponents of locking up the Owyhee canyons are calling on Senators and the President to designate a national monument instead known as the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. Our nation was set up for Congress to pass laws and not for groups to be able to pass laws without Congress as this designation would do if the president uses the Antiquities Act to lock up 1.1 million acres of land.
Five Reasons to Oppose the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument
1. It Circumvents the Will of Congress
Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley have repeatedly introduced legislation to create designated Wilderness areas within Oregon and Idaho, but these efforts have consistently failed to gain enough support in Congress. Now, proponents of locking up the Owyhee canyons are urging the President to bypass Congress and use the Antiquities Act to create the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. This would lock up 1.1 million acres of land without the input or approval of our elected representatives. Our nation’s system of checks and balances was designed to ensure that significant land use decisions are debated and decided by Congress, not unilaterally enacted through executive action.
2. A Monument Would Restrict Public Access
Designating this area as a national monument would impose unnecessary restrictions on the public’s ability to access and enjoy the Owyhee canyons. Popular activities such as off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, dispersed camping, hunting, and even grazing could face severe limitations or outright bans. Public lands should remain accessible to everyone, not reserved for the narrow interests of a few special interest groups.
3. It Threatens Livelihoods and Local Economies
Ranching is a vital part of the Owyhee region’s culture and economy, but a monument designation could significantly reduce grazing opportunities, threatening the livelihoods of local ranchers. Similarly, restricting access to public lands would hurt local businesses that rely on outdoor recreation, including outfitters, guides, and tourism-based services. These impacts could ripple across the economy, causing harm to rural communities that depend on balanced and sustainable land use. Congressman Bentz, who represents this area has indicated that 90% of the local population in this area opposes a monument designation.
4. Monument Designation Is Not the Answer to Protecting the Owyhee
Proponents of the monument argue it is needed to protect the area from threats like mining, energy development, and improper use. However, these concerns can be addressed through existing public land management policies. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) already manages this area under the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness Plan, which provides protections without the extreme restrictions of a national monument. There is no evidence to suggest that a monument designation would offer better conservation outcomes than the existing framework.
5. It Would Create a Cascade of Regulatory Challenges
A monument designation under the Antiquities Act would introduce a web of bureaucratic red tape that would make managing this area more difficult and less flexible. Overlapping regulations could lead to confusion, delays, and inefficiencies in land management, complicating everything from trail maintenance to wildlife conservation. These burdens would fall on local communities and public land users, who already work in partnership with agencies to steward this incredible landscape.
The Real Owyhee Solution
The Owyhee canyons are already protected through existing laws and management practices, which balance conservation with responsible public access and multiple uses. The push to designate the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument is not about protecting the land—it’s about removing it from the hands of the public.
We call on the President and our elected officials to reject any effort to bypass Congress and unilaterally designate this area as a national monument. Public lands belong to everyone, and their future should be decided through a transparent, democratic process that respects all stakeholders.
Take Action
Contact your elected representatives and tell them you oppose the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. Let’s protect public access, local livelihoods, and the traditions of responsible land use that make this region so special.
Map of the Affected Area
