Oregon Public Broadcasting

Earlier this year, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden introduced a bill to permanently protect 30,000 acres of wilderness area 15 miles outside of Bend.

Wednesday a group of 100 central Oregon businesses unveiled an advertising campaign to put pressure on Congress, and Republican Senator Gordon Smith, to pass the bill. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

Business leaders say the Badlands Wilderness bill would not only protect a large amount of scenic government-owned land near Bend, but would help the area's economy.

Kirk Schueler is the president of one of Bend's largest real estate developers, Brooks Resources.

He says Central Oregon is prized by tourists and a skilled workforce for its outdoors.

So, he says, even real estate developers can get on board.

Kirk Schueler: “While we are pretty protective of property rights, I can't go develop on that BLM land. So this only adds to that quality of life that we're talking about."

Gena Goodman-Campbell is the wilderness director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association.

She says this campaign is specifically directed at Senator Smith, who has said he supports the project but wants to ensure access for off-road vehicle use.

Supporters say that with Smith's support, Congress could vote on the measure before the end of the year.