The Prineville Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently issued two temporary closures; one in the Badlands Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and one in Dry River Canyon.
The Badlands WSA is a 32,221-acre block of public land located just north of Highway 20 approximately 18 miles east of Bend. The two closures include portions of Dry River Canyon and Badlands Rock, which are popular spots for recreationists and those seeking solitude and/or sport in the high desert.
Closures are in place due to sensitive wildlife habitat restrictions.
These closures are legal requirements as directed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to provide protection for sensitive wildlife.
Closures became effective March 1 and expire on August 31. Wildlife biologists will periodically monitor sensitive wildlife habitat and determine whether the areas may be opened for public use at an earlier date.
Posted signs located adjacent to the closures will help recreationists identify and avoid the closed areas.
If the areas are reopened prior to August 31, the closure signs will be removed.
“We recognize the Badlands as a highly valued place that people enjoy for a variety of recreation activities. Our intent is to re-open the closure areas as soon as possible. In the meantime, we ask for the public’s cooperation in minimizing disturbance to sensitive wildlife,” said Acting Prineville BLM District Manager Don Hicks.
The Dry River Canyon closure area blocks through passage from the upper end of the canyon down towards the canyon mouth, so recreationists will have to turn around after approximately 1.5 miles if they access the canyon from the west.
The Badlands Rock closure is comprised of the area that extends ¼ mile around the summit of the rock. For more information, contact Wildlife Biologist Bill Dean at (541) 416-6887.
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