Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Adopts Minam River Wildlife Area Management Plan

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission formally adopted a management plan for the Minam Wildlife Area on March 20, completing a governance process that lagged behind the area's rapid physical growth through four phases of land acquisition dating to 1967.

The 17,087-acre wildlife area, located about 30 miles northeast of La Grande along the Minam River in Wallowa and Union counties, grew from a modest 441-acre river corridor purchase into one of northeastern Oregon's most significant public wildlife holdings. The bulk of that expansion came in three bursts: 4,609 acres acquired from Manulife Timber Investment Management Company in 2021, a Phase 2 addition of 10,964 acres in 2023, and a final 1,073-acre addition in 2024. That growth substantially exceeded the 15,000-acre target ODFW projected when the Commission approved the initial Phase One purchase in August 2021.

The Commission described the plan as "the result of extensive engagement with the tribes, community partners and the public." Commissioners specifically highlighted that the land acquisition effort succeeded in part because counties and partner organizations were brought into the process early, and ODFW staff will continue working with those partners going forward.

The adopted plan envisions the Minam Wildlife Area as a "working landscape" where livestock grazing and active forest management support broader habitat goals. The area protects crucial big game winter range and provides habitat for salmon and bull trout, as well as Oregon Conservation Strategy species including the white-headed woodpecker, Rocky Mountain tailed frog and several priority bat species. Recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding and kayaking, with the historic Minam River Trail running six miles through the property. A footbridge over the Minam River is under consideration to improve public access to that trail.

The management plan will be reviewed within five years to allow for any necessary adjustments, and at least every 10 years after that. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Hancock Natural Resource Group were partners on the original acquisition work alongside ODFW.

In other business at the same meeting, the Commission approved the purchase of 5.67 acres within the boundary of the Denman Wildlife Area in Jackson County. That acquisition is intended to improve habitat connectivity and provide better access to visitor parking at the Agate Road lot.

During the Director's Report, Troy Abercrombie of the Oregon Department of Agriculture presented the Oregon Native Seed Strategy, outlining its connections to the State Wildlife Action Plan, ODFW's mission and Governor's Executive Order 25-26, which addresses the resiliency of Oregon's lands and waters. The strategy, according to ODFW, "guides and supports ecological restoration and conservation through acquiring, preserving and producing native seed in Oregon." The Director's Report also noted that ongoing education and outreach by ODFW, tribes and partners has improved public awareness of Oregon's native lamprey species, with continued research and monitoring informing adaptive management efforts.

Questions about the Minam Wildlife Area management plan can be directed to ODFW press contact Meghan Dugan at 541-315-6629 or meghan.c.dugan@odfw.oregon.gov.