Tengrinews.kz - Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has come forward with an initiative to recognize the Owyhee Canyonlands in the U.S. as another natural wonder, according to the Daily Mail.
Known as Oregon's Grand Canyon, the site draws tourists with dramatic cliffs, desert rivers, and a rich heritage. In a letter sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on November 22, Kotek urged action to protect more than a million acres of land in the eastern part of the state by designating the region as a national monument under the Antiquities Act.
"The landscape of this area is a national treasure with stunning geological features and culturally significant sites that reflect the deep history and heritage of this part of Oregon. The devastating consequences for the future of this iconic landscape are simply too great not to act now. Please proceed with a national monument designation," Kotek wrote.
Owyhee Canyonlands is home to a variety of wildlife, including ptarmigan, bighorn sheep, deer, and elk. However, their natural habitat is threatened by invasive plants and juniper overgrowth. The rivers are also at risk, as their banks require conservation.
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The region has deep historical roots and is sacred to Native peoples such as the Northern Paiute, Bannock, and Shoshone. It also attracts many tourists to Malheur County each year due to its stunning scenery and a variety of hiking trails, including the Oregon Wilderness Trail and the Sagehen Hill Trail, known for its beautiful flowers.
Despite repeated efforts to protect the area, Congress has yet to act. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced three bills to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands in the past five years, but none have been brought to a vote.
The senators' most recent proposal asked for 30,000 acres in the canyonlands to be put into a trust that will be overseen by the Burns Paiute Tribe. However, as spokesman Ron Wyden notes, the legislative process takes time, and the national monument designation could be revoked in the future by another administration.
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