Has protective designation attracted more people to the Steens-Alvord area?
Visitor use at Steens Mountain-Alvord Basin was already on the rise, even in the absence of a federal designation. In 1997, 53,000 people visited the Steens area–almost three times as many as in 1975, the first year for which figures are available. Given Oregon’s population growth, and the inevitable increases in visitor use associated with this growth, now is the time to plan for the future of Steens-Alvord. Strong federal protection will give managers the resources they need to actively plan for rising visitor use. The key to safeguarding Steens-Alvord from inappropriate development and overuse / misuse of natural resources lies in the management plan that will be in part crafted (in an advisory capacity) by the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC). This plan, which will be subject to public review and involvement, will chart Steens’ on-the-ground future; concerned citizens can help make sure the plan offers the strongest protection possible for Steens Mountain and the Alvord Bas
