Oregon Public Broadcasting

City and county leaders in central Oregon joined Sen. Ron Wyden Tuesday to advocate the creation of a new 30,000 acre wilderness area east of Bend. Rob Manning reports.

Wildflowers are a springtime attraction to the Oregon Badlands area.

Geologists say that the so-called “Oregon Badlands” were formed by an unusual flow of volcanic lava that has been largely undisturbed over time.

Some of the Badlands' soil can be traced to the eruption that created Crater Lake many miles to the south.

Sen. Ron Wyden says establishing the Badlands as “wilderness” could help attract hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to the unique landscape.

Ron Wyden: “Seems to me, if we can get national recognition of the Badlands, that’ll be a big shot in the arm for recreation. And quality of life is a big driver of economic success in central Oregon, and that’s why I’m going to work hard to promote it.”

Wyden says this wilderness bill is still in the early stages, though he’d like to see it pass in the 2008 Congress.

He’s more optimistic that additional wilderness areas on Mount Hood will get congressional approval this year.