Ron Wyden: “My view is that this Steens legislation is a monumental wilderness triumph. This legislation creates for the first time…”

“My view is that this Steens legislation is a monumental wilderness triumph. This legislation creates for the first time in statute cow-free wilderness. In the past, wilderness designations allowed the continuation of historic grazing practices, but because the ranchers in the Steens recognize the delicate nature of this ecosystem and because they were willing to work with Democrats and Republicans in our congressional delegation, Congressman Greg Walden, Congressman Peter DeFazio, and so many of our colleagues, we were able to build a coalition for a truly historic approach to protecting our wilderness. We were able to find acceptable alternative grazing sites. Almost 100,000 acres of the total wilderness designation is now going to be by law cow free. In my view, this is just an example, a precedent of how communities can work together to protect our treasures. In Oregon, we did it differently. We came up with an Oregon solution. Like Senator Smith, I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve.”