Many of us are concerned about our environment’s future under the Trump administration. Before leaving office, President Joe Biden can help preserve the Pacific Northwest’s natural spaces by designating Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands a national monument.
The idea has broad support from local ranchers, tribes, fishers and outdoor enthusiasts. Without protection, these lands could be exploited by mining, which would threaten this valuable river basin and potentially spoil the lands for generations. Despite this overwhelming support, Sen. Ron Wyden’s “Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act” (S. 1890) is stalled in Congress.
It is clear that future President Donald Trump has no interest in protecting our natural areas, putting mining profit over local communities. That is why it is critical that Biden act swiftly in using his presidential power under the Antiquities Act to designate the Owyhee Canyonlands a national monument. Please call Sens. Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Jeff Merkley, and Wyden and to ask them to tell Biden to designate the Owyhee Canyonlands a national monument and protect this area for generations to come.
