Owyhee’s Dynamic Future
Date: 08/13/2024
State: ID
Issues: Mining, National Parks, Off Road Vehicles, Oil and Gas, Watersheds, Wild Lands, Wildlife
Partner: Idaho Conservation League
Airport Origin : Boise, ID
Mission
The Owyhee is a rugged, remote region of sagebrush steppe and deep canyons cut by rivers flowing from mountainous headwaters. It extends through southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho into northern Nevada and is defined by its incredible opportunities for solitude, its wild nature, and value to Indigenous peoples and outdoor enthusiasts. The Owyhee Canyonlands are a living cultural landscape and are sacred to the Northern Paiute, Bannock, and Shoshone Tribes’ traditional uses.
We flew over farmlands and communities who enjoy and are supported by the Owyhee and saw urban sprawl encroaching from Boise and reaching the Owyhee Front in Idaho. We flew over Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, where one of the densest populations of raptors is located. The Owyhee area provides critical refuge for these birds and species like bighorn sheep, sage grouse, and redband trout.
Our flight continued over the Snake and Owyhee Rivers and places popular for camping, fishing, and boating. We flew above calcium carbonate deposits, some untouched and others that have been mined, within cliff bands with unique soils that support rare plants. The geology mecca that is Shoofly and Mud Flat Oolites boast trails and opportunity for visitors to hike to view these strange formations and find fish and snail fossils.
Our overflight examined Doyle Mountain Area and viewed some of the extensive motorized trail network that includes 1,000 miles of trails. We also flew over the DeLemar Mine, a historic silver and gold mine outside of Silver City that was purchased by Integra Resources in 2017 with the hope of restarting mining operations for both gold and silver. This would result in expansion of open pits, cyanide leaching, and other harmful practices.
The BLM is working to better manage the unique and ample resources of the Owyhee Canyonlands. The Owyhee’s future is dynamic, with a new Travel Management Plan in the works and other efforts for conservation and management under consideration, including national monument designations, wilderness area designations, mineral withdrawals, non-motorized areas, and more. Our partners are paving the way for more positive conservation efforts, balanced recreational opportunities, and protection of these fragile ecosystems and wildlife habitat.
Click for photos from the flight, GoPro footage, audio recording, and geo-referenced photos (download and open in Google Earth).
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