WASHINGTON — A bill to create a wilderness in southwest Idaho's Owyhee canyonlands has cleared a Senate committee.
The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, would create an 807-square-mile wilderness. It also would open 300 square miles of previously off-limit areas to motorized recreation, livestock grazing and other activities.
The measure would provide ranchers with cash and federal land in exchange for giving up private land and grazing rights on some public land, and would offer federal protection to 316 miles of wild and scenic rivers in Owyhee County.
Crapo says he will continue to seek the money needed to carry out the required agreements if the measure becomes law.
