Scenic mountain is centerpiece of wilderness proposal
In this photo take Nov. 11, 2015, Ben Gordon, Oregon Natural Desert Association stewardship director, and Chris Perry, a judge in Wheeler County, pose below Sutton Mountain near Mitchell, Ore. The duo have worked together to craft a wilderness proposal to protect the area near Mitchell. Sutton Mountain is a long, 29,000-acre fault block that rises just above the Painted Hills, a popular tourist destination in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. (Zach Urness/Statesman-Journal via AP)

Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act (S. 1255)

On May 7, Sen. Merkley introduced legislation to designate roughly 58,000 acres of wilderness in the John Day River Basin. The bill includes Sutton Mountain, Pat’s Cabin, Painted Hills, and Dead Dog wilderness study areas that encircle the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
The Sutton Mountain bill would protect incredible vistas, deep canyons, and prime habitat for elk, mule deer, raptors, and unique plants.

The legislation is supported by local county commissions and elected officials, landowners and residents, business owners and conservation groups, whitewater rafting and boating communities, and hunters and anglers.

Read more about Sutton Mountain        Text of S-1255

Active America Wilderness Legislation (bill in congress)