Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness Areas  

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The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act (P.L. 111-11) designated six Wilderness areas in Owyhee County.  The BLM is currently preparing a Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River Plan for these areas and 16 wild and scenic river (WSR) segments designated in the Act, to establish primary management direction.

The BLM is taking public comment on issues associated with managing these Wilderness areas and WSR segments via email, surface mail and
 at public meetings scheduled around southwestern Idaho.

Send written comments to 
BLM Boise District - Attn: T.J. Clifford 
3948 Development Avenue 
Boise ID 83705  

The maps below, the background reference sheet handed out at public meetings and Wilderness FAQs may help you develop your comments.

After reviewing all comments submitted, the BLM will develop and publish a range of management alternatives and again seek public comment (Fall 2012).  An environmental assessment (EA) will follow, with another opportunity for public review and comment (Spring 2013).

The Act also requires the BLM to complete a travel management plan (TMP) for routes in Owyhee County but outside the wilderness boundaries.  Routes that access the wilderness areas and trailheads or other areas of interest in the wilderness areas will be addressed in the TMP.  The Owyhee County TMP website has information associated with travel planning and instructions on how to comment on issues to be addressed in the TMP.

Maps

Like all maps, these cannot be made fully accessible under Section 508. Users requiring assistance should contact the BLM Idaho State Office by phone at (208) 373-4015.

Big Jacks Creek Wilderness 
and Little Jacks Creek Wilderness (2011)


Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness (2011)


North Fork Owyhee Wilderness (2011)

Pole Creek Wilderness (2011)

Owyhee River Wilderness (2011)

Legislative Maps (Large Format) 
Legislative Maps (Small Format)

"Public Law 111-11, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, serves as an excellent model for wilderness designation and [wilderness study area] release decisions thoughtfully conceived and effectively implemented."   — BLM Director Bob Abbey

 

Idaho Public TV Documentary on Owyhee Wilderness, "Canyonlands Calling"

The BLM used funds allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to officially mark boundaries and roadways
 associated with the Owyhee Wilderness areas.

Title I, Subtitle F of Public Law 111-11 - the Omnibus Public lands Management Act of 2009, signed into law on March 30, 2009 - contains Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River designations that originated from a collaborative effort known as the Owyhee Initiative.

The Act protects as wilderness 518,000 acres in the Owyhee Canyonlands, releases 199,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas to multiple use, designates 318 miles of waterways under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, provides for protection of cultural resources particularly important to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, and maintains access for hunting and other recreational activities.  It also recognizes a long-time advocate for the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area by adding Morley Nelson's name to the NCA's official designation, and conveys four parcels of public land to the city of Twin Falls to support water quality enhancement and wildlife habitat improvements, among other public purposes.