Hunters, anglers, hikers and others who make their way to the top of Forest Road 778 on the Malheur National Forest can now read for themselves why the surrounding land is open to public access. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Park City Ranger district recently installed an informational kiosk with an explanation.
In late 2013, RMEF worked with a number of partners to permanently protect and open access to 13,082 acres in the headwaters of the John Day River in northeast Oregon. The project consolidated what was a checkerboard pattern of public and private ownership into one mass block of public ownership under the management of the U.S. Forest Service. It covers a 40-mile landscape around the origin and main stem of the John Day River.
Go here to view a video of the John Day Headwaters project.
(Photo source: U.S. Forest Service)