Too often arguments pro and con on Wilderness designation are based on assumptions and an imperfect understanding of the Wilderness system and the related legislation. Any community faced with a possible Wilderness designation would do well to study carefully and understand fully what it would really mean for their community before deciding.
Information on wilderness areas and grazing:
Often dire outcomes of Wilderness designation are predicted for existing economic activities. The pertinent legislation is very specific about these activities and in fact offers several protections.
University of Montana “Wilderness.net” http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&sec=grazing The Wilderness.net site is a rich site covering all aspects of Wilderness, including grazing.
BLM Utah: “Questions and Answers Regarding Wilderness Study Areas” http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/utah_wilderness/qs_and_as_re__wsas.html Questions and Answers concerning Wilderness Study Areas.
Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center http://carhart.wilderness.net/elearning/wacomplete/WA_01.htm A comprehensive introduction to Wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964, including a section on "Special Provisions" such as grazing, mineral uses and water resource development.
The Utah Wilderness Coalition. http://www.protectwildutah.org/faq/index.html The FAQ page of The Utah Wilderness Coalition provides a succinct, straightforward introduction to Wilderness protection. A good place to start.
Sources for the impact of wilderness areas on local economies:
A great many assertions are made about the harm or benefits to local economies of a Wilderness designation. In fact, the impact varies from place to place and depends to a large degree on the existing or potential infrastructure (transportation, commercial centers, accommodations) and visionary political and commercial leadership. It is important to examine a broad range of examples.
Headwaters Economics. “Owyhee Canyonlands Hold Economic Potential.” December 2013. 34 pp. The entire report can be downloaded at: http://headwaterseconomics.org/public-lands/specific-places/owyhee-canyonlands
Paul Lorah and Robert Southwick. Historical and Economic Performance of Oregon and Western Counties Associated with Roadless and Wilderness Areas. Pub. by the World Wildlife Fund and the Oregon Natural Resources Council. Southwick and Associates, Fernandina Beach, Forida, 2000. Does not include Malheur County but does cover other Oregon counties. https://forestlegacies.org/images/stories/pdfs/Publications/RoadlessAreas/EconomicPerformanceOfOregonCountiesbyWilderness.pdf
Paul Lorah. “Population Growth, Economic Security and Cultural Change in Western Wilderness Counties.” In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F. 2000. Wilderness Science in a Time of Change. Proc. RMRS-P-000. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Gunda Rudzitis and Rebecca Johnson. “The Impact of Wilderness and Other Wildlands on Local Economies and Regional Development Trends.” In: David N. Cole, and Stephen F. McCool. 2000. Wilderness Science in a Time of Change. Proc. RMRS-P-000. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.