More than 400,000 acres of public lands will receive extra protections, limiting off-highway vehicles to nearly 40,000 acres near Vale and will keep closed 16,000 of public lands.
Outdoors
Allegations of ‘secret’ deal to remove four Snake River dams aired by GOP at hearing
GOP lawmakers on Tuesday criticized a “secret” process and charged that the administration should prioritize the energy, flood control and other benefits of four Snake River dams slated for removal.
State police seek public’s help in probe regarding death of cow moose east of Ontario
The Oregon State Police want help from the public in an investigation regarding the shooting death of a cow moose near Ontario earlier this month.
Proposed agreement shows feds consider removing lower Snake River dams
The proposed agreement, leaked this week, indicates the feds are ready to move ahead with removing four dams on the lower Snake River to keep salmon species from extinction. The proposal has sparked strong concerns from GOP congressional representatives worried about impacts on power supply and agriculture.
Local leaders regroup on tourism revenue, strategy, impact
Drawing more visitors to Malheur County to mountain bike, take in the desert night sky and see Vale’s historic murals were among the discussion topics at a series of meetings last month on how to boost tourism in the region.
BLM to take comments on rock pit
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is seeking the public’s input on expanding a rock pit by nearly 18 acres and developing six other pits to store materials the agency plans to use to repair about 150 miles of road.
Invasive mussels found in Snake River near Twin Falls
Idaho Gov. Brad Little says the state is launching a “robust” effort to stop the spread of invasive quagga mussels, found in the Snake River at Twin Falls.
Group gains grant for wild horse work in Malheur County
A nonprofit made up of ranchers and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management received nearly $500,000 in grant funding to continue efforts to curb the growing horse population in Malheur County for the next four years.
Vale BLM gathers nearly 40 wild horses outside Harper
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management gathered nearly 40 wild horses in a management area in northern Malheur County just west of Harper as part of its 10-year plan to curb the growing horse population on more than 20,000 acres of public land.
Idaho reports first human West Nile case of 2023
Officials in Idaho confirmed a Weiser man was infected with the West Nile virus, the first human case this year in the state. Health officials in Oregon and Idaho urge people to take precautions in mosquito areas and to vaccinate their horses.