THE DALLES, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering acquiring about 10,000 acres in the lower Deschutes River canyon in Wasco County.
The property is known as the Lower Deschutes River Ranch. Its purchase by ODFW would add to the existing 8,000-acre Lower Deschutes River Wildlife Area and create 25,000 acres of contiguous wildlife habitat and public access on the west side of the Deschutes River.
Oregon wildlife officials are working with the Trust for Public Lands to establish a purchase and sale agreement for the state to buy the land from the trust.
A final agreement will require Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approval and inclusion in the Legislative budget. Money for the purchase has been obtained through the trust and multiple outside grant sources.
Oregon also would use some federal dollars its receives from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program funds.
