Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon's two senators Thursday proposed the protection of 16,000 acres of land in Central Oregon.

By swapping parcels with two private owners, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley hope to increase the Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock wilderness areas -- near the former home of the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.

John Crafton is a UPS driver and member of the Oregon Hunters Association. He thinks it's a tremendous idea.

John Crafton: "It's a big win for wildlife, it's an excellent win for the public. The access is going to be a little difficult in one section. And then the public also gains four miles of the John Day River, that wasn't public land."

The swap with BLM land is subject to an appraisal. But wilderness is the highest level of protection federal lands can enjoy. It generally forbids motorized use or even mechanized recreation -- like mountain biking.