Patrick Kollodge / BLM/ Submitted photoThe John Day River in front of Cathedral Rock, the namesake of a proposed wilderness area. Jefferson County commissioners will hold a hearing Wednesday on the proposal to create the Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven wilderness areas northeast of Madras.

A land swap that would create two wilderness areas near the John Day River will go before the Jefferson County board of commissioners next week.

Commissioners will be hosting a hearing Wednesday to gather public input on the proposed Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven wilderness areas, located roughly 30 miles northeast of Madras.

First proposed in 2009, the swap would address the checkerboard-like pattern of landholdings in the area, consolidating Bureau of Land Management lands and lands owned by Cherry Creek Ranch and the Young Life Washington Family Ranch into contiguous parcels.

Ben Gordon with the Oregon Natural Desert Association, the primary organization behind the push for the wilderness designation, said the consolidation would expand the publicly accessible land at Cathedral Rock from 160 acres to 6,500 acres, and from 900 acres to 10,800 at Horse Heaven. Parcels of privately owned land currently block visitors from accessing public lands without trespassing, he said.

The latest variation of the wilderness plan is slightly different from earlier versions, with the Cathedral Rock parcel slightly smaller and the Horse Heaven parcel slightly larger.

Gordon said residents living along Muddy Creek Road adjacent to the Cathedral Rock area expressed concerns about vehicular access to the wilderness area, particularly during winter months when the road can be hazardous and vehicle crashes or other emergencies become their responsibility because of the remoteness of the area. Residents suggested seasonal closures of the road and gates to keep wilderness visitors out, he said, inconveniencing others who might look to use the road.

Instead, the modified plan moves the boundary of the Cathedral Rock wilderness area back from the road, requiring visitors to the area to access it from the John Day River. The Horse Heaven area is larger and will remain accessible by vehicle.

Gordon said the altered plan is a good compromise. The portions of the Cathedral Rock area that were removed from the plan are extremely dry and rugged, he said, and unlikely to be enjoyed by visitors to the area. At Horse Heaven, a cool and moist ponderosa pine forest unusual in the John Day basin was moved inside the proposed wilderness boundary, Gordon said.

Although a wilderness designation does not require the approval of local governments such as the county commission, Gordon said Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, want to have the commission on board before pushing for approval of the wilderness areas in Congress.

Jeff Rasmussen, Jefferson County administrator, said he does not expect commissioners will decide whether they support or oppose the plan at Wednesday’s meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at county offices, 66 SE D St. in Madras.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387,

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