Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act Introduced Members of the Owyhee Initiative Work Group praised the leadership of Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) last week after the introduction of the Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act (S. 3794). The Work Group, comprised of Idaho ranchers, conservationists, county commissioners and outfitters, pledged to do all they can to help the Senator pass the measure through Congress. The culmination of nearly five years of hard work by Senator Crapo's office and the 14 member Owyhee Initiative Work Group, the legislation would permanently protect 517,000 acres of Wilderness, safeguard almost 400 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers and ensure the future viability of ranching families by resolving longstanding Owyhee County public land management issues.   Nevada's Senators Introduce White Pine County Public Lands Bill On the night of August 1, 2006, Senator Ensign (R-NV) and Senator Reid (D-NV) introduced the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act (S.3772). The legislation contains nine different titles that address a number of public land issues including, wilderness designation, release of portions of wilderness study areas, land disposal, public purpose conveyances, land transfers from Forest Service to Bureau of Land Management (BLM), authorization for a study of an ORV trail, land transfers to the Ely Shoshone Tribe, authorization for restoration projects, amendments to the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, and establishment of the Great Basin Heritage Route.   Local Groups Voice Support for New Hampshire Wilderness On August 3, 2006, a diverse group of local stakeholders sent the New Hampshire delegation a letter of appreciation and support for introducing legislation to designate wilderness in the White Mountain National Forest. Twenty-four representatives from groups including Appalachian Mountain Club, Society for the Protection New Hampshire Forests, Friends of the Sandwich Range, Friends of the Wild River, The Wilderness Society, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, the Malden Mills Industry, Inc., and the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce jointly supported creating a new Wild River Wilderness Area and expanding the existing Sandwich Range Wilderness.