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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services ... Ashland grapples with 'travelers' who say they're part of a counterculture movement ... Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... Emergency services ... Ashland grapples with 'travelers' who say they're part of a counterculture movement ... Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... OUR VIEW Our View: Emphasizing the 'public' in public lands Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The case of the misguided occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will drag on for some time as the charges against the occupiers work their way through the federal courts, not to mention the additional charges stemming from a 2014 standoff over cattle grazing in Nevada. Just cleaning up the mess the Malheur occupiers left behind will take until early summer, officials say, at a cost of $4 million. Meanwhile, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has proposed changes in recreation permitting on federal land that could go a long way toward reminding the public that these lands really do belong to them. The occupiers — Ammon and Ryan Bundy and their supporters — espouse a twisted interpretation of the Constitution that they believe makes government control of vast stretches of land illegal. They are mistaken in that belief, but it is undeniable that federal bureaucracy contributes to frustration among many in the West. Anything that makes navigating that bureaucracy easier will go a long way toward reinforcing the notion that public land belongs to the public, and the government merely manages it on our behalf. Wyden's proposal has to do with recreational uses such as permits for river guides who lead raft trips on the Rogue and other rivers, but it goes much farther than that. The legislation, co-sponsored by Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer, requires the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make recreation a priority when making land-use and regulatory decisions, and directs federal land management agencies to extend recreation seasons over more of the year wherever possible. The bill also would simplify the process of seeking permits for commercial guides as well as the general public who want access to public lands. The legislation grew out of a tour Wyden and Blumenauer undertook last year to visit Oregon's "Seven Wonders" and what they heard in listening sessions they conducted along the way. The resulting proposals have the support of many outdoor recreation and tourism groups. All of this means money for the Oregon economy, and that of Southern Oregon specifically. Visitors spent more than half a billion dollars in Jackson County in 2014, and our spectacular public lands are a big reason many come here. That translates into jobs in the local economy. Making it easier for guides and outfitters to serve those visitors as well as encouraging tourists to use public lands on their own will help the outdoor industry thrive and grow, and that's good for everyone. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501