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Press Release: COTA Endorses Badlands Wilderness
February 23, 2004
Local Mountain Bike Group Endorses Badlands Wilderness
Bend, OR -- The Central Oregon Trail Alliance has endorsed designation of the
proposed 37,000-acre Badlands Wilderness 15 miles east of Bend. COTA’s
endorsement was a result of a collaborative effort between COTA and the Oregon
Natural Desert Association.
COTA and ONDA struck a deal which makes a minor adjustment to the southern
border of the proposed Wilderness. The adjustment will preserve access to an
existing mountain bike trail allowing cyclists to continue to enjoy one of the
most challenging and scenic trails in the area.
"With this adjustment, we’re excited about the Badlands becoming Bend’s own
backyard wilderness area," said Eric Meglasson, president of COTA, "and we’re
happy that the two groups were able to work together on this issue that is very
important to our members."
The Badlands is unique for its unusual geology, old growth juniper and critical
winter habitat for elk and deer. It is one of the more pristine desert
landscapes close to Bend, and provides a unique educational and recreational
asset to Bend’s growing population.
The proposed Badlands Wilderness has been an on-going grassroots effort
involving key landowners willing to exchange certain lands to enhance the
management of the proposed wilderness area, including local rancher Ray Clarno,
Matt Day of Hooker Creek, and the Central Oregon Irrigation District.
"A lot of folks have been working intensely on this proposal for the past couple
of years," said ONDA representative, Bill Marlett. "By making a minor adjustment
to the wilderness boundary, we were able to keep open a technical trail used by
bikers that otherwise would have to be closed because bikes are prohibited in
designated wilderness."
Map of huge exclusive OHV areas adjoining the
Badlands
Read more . . .
The
Badlands Wilderness
OpEd
- Unregulated OHV use is being reviewed across the western states
OHV use curtailed by new USFS policy decisions
Sierra Club's Juniper Group
supports Badlands Wilderness
OHV regulation discussed at BLM meeting in Bend, Oregon
OpEd - Badlands part of
BLM's recreation management area
OpEd - We need the Badlands Wilderness
OpEd - Off-roaders have no reason to fear Badlands Wilderness designation
Speak for the Badlands at Town Hall Meeting
Hiking poles are becoming essential gear
Vandals destroy ancient
pictographs in the Badlands
Senator
Wyden tests support of Badlands Wilderness
The Badlands:
proposed for Wilderness status
The
Badlands, a brief history
The Badlands
pictographs
reported 75 year ago
