Dec. 9 on The Story: In far eastern Oregon lies the Owyhee Canyonlands, a vast expanse of rugged high desert country. It's also the backdrop for a showdown over executive power, private interests and Oregon's longstanding urbanrural divide. While a bill in Congress that would have designated the area as protected wilderness failed to pass, Gov. Tina Kotek has lobbied President Joe Biden to declare it a national monument before leaving the White House. Opposing them is Congressman Cliff Bentz, the Republican representative for much of eastern and southern Oregon. As the clock ticks down on Biden's term, it's unclear which side will win out.

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