NEW POLL RESULTS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE BADLANDS
 

A new poll released by Grove Insight shows that a strong majority of Deschutes County voters favor the creation of a Badlands Wilderness Area in central Oregon.  Fifty-seven percent of voters favor the proposal, while less than three in ten (29 percent) were opposed.  With a 28 percentage point favor margin, this designation is clearly something Deschutes County residents want.

 

This latest poll shows a marked increase in local support and decline in opposition over the past two years.  A similar poll, conducted in 2002, showed that 54 percent of voters approved the creation of a Badlands Wilderness Area, while only 35 percent were opposed.  View the official poll results

 

Located just 20 miles east of Bend, the Badlands area is a 37,000-acre high desert gem notable for its prolific desert wildflowers, dry river canyons, castle-like lava formations, ancient juniper trees, and pictographs.  With Bend’s booming population and encroaching development, this wondrous place has become prone to illegal garbage dumping, pictograph defacement, and old-growth juniper theft.  The Badlands needs wilderness designation to help thwart these illegal activities and ensure protection of its valuable resources for future generations. 

 

Now is the time to call or write your Representative or Senator and urge them to protect the Badlands as wilderness.  Use their contact information, or visit our web site where we have a sample letter that you can personalize and send directly to the delegation.  Your phone call or letter does make a difference!

 

Additionally, Congressman Earl Blumenauer is currently posing the question “Do you support designating more land in Oregon as wilderness?” on his web site.  Please take a moment to go to the site and submit a comment in favor of wilderness designation for the Badlands, as well as Spring Basin.  This is a great opportunity to encourage one of our most environmentally minded members of Congress to work with the rest of the Congressional delegation to designate new wilderness in Oregon.

 

Visit ONDA’s web site for more information on the Badlands and Spring Basin.