How We Got Here
Use and access of public lands is important to everyone
The OBSC was formed in 2016 out of necessity, and created the Our Land Our Voice campaign. This started a strong grassroots movement with supporters from across the great state of Oregon and beyond to oppose the creation of a national monument that threatened the land in the eastern Oregon county.
Special interest groups tried to pressure President Barack Obama to declare nearly 2.5 million acres of land as a federal monument. Such an action wasn't necessary and would have harmed local communities – from jobs to schools to the overall quality of life.
A public survey was taken from throughout the entire state and it was determined that the people in Oregon showed their support for the ranchers, agreeing that their work and dedication was already providing an incredible amount of protection to the land.
In addition, in early 2016, Malheur County citizens overwhelmingly voted against the idea of creating a national monument. More than 90% of voters said NO, sending a strong message to elected leaders.
In January 2017, the voice of those most affected by the threat won out, with no monument declaration!
The OBSC then went on a listening tour in the county, hosting town halls to ask people: “What do we do next?” The choice was between “Do nothing” and “Do something”. The monument had been adverted, but it was certain that it -or another form of designation- would be back. The response was a request that the OBSC do something proactive to avoid a future monument and resolve the Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) an Lands With Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs).
After about a year of researching and refining a plan, the OBSC developed the Malheur County Healthy Working Ecosystems Act Legislative Concept, a legislative proposal that focused on restoring land health, bringing local input to management of the BLM lands, and developed an educational institute.
In December 2018, the OBSC took this proposal to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators. Senator Wyden was impressed with the idea and offered to lead the development of a bill based on the concept. This led to months of long negotiation between the OBSC, conservation groups, state universities and management agencies, mediated by Sen. Wyden and his staff.
What resulted is a collaborative bill, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act.
Throughout this long process, the OBSC has been working for the best interest of the citizens of Malheur County. We live and work here. We are the ranchers, hunters, and business men and women of the county and we want to see continued access and use of federal lands, along with the restoration and betterment of land health.