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SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS ACT MOVES THROUGH CONGRESS!
SMA working with our conservation partners presented a wilderness proposal to Congressman Salazar in the summer of 2009. After working extensively to ensure the proposal had a broad base of support and receiving the endorsement of San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties, the Congressman introduced his bill into the House of Representatives to protect 61,682 acres of public lands in and around the San Juan Mountains and San Miguel Watershed on October 22, 2009. Senators Udall and Bennet followed shortly with an introduction in the Senate. The bill has had hearings in both the house and the senate and we expect for it to be sent to the floor for a vote this summer.
PLEASE CONTACT CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR AND SENATORS BENNET AND UDALL WITH THANKS!
CLICK HERE for the bill language and maps available on the Congressman's web site.
Included in the bill:
The following areas will receive Wilderness Area designations under the proposed legislation:
- 3,170 acres will be added to the existing Lizard Head Wilderness Area by the Blackface, Sunshine and Wilson additions.
- 8,375 acres will be added to the existing Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Liberty Bell and Last Dollar additions.
- 13,231 acres will be added to the existing Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Whitehouse addition.
- 8,614 acres of the McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area will be designated as Wilderness (this is the northern half of the WSA which lies in San Miguel County)
In addition, two other designations will be created by the proposed legislation:
- 21,697 acres will be designated as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. Existing uses including heliisking will be allowed to continue, but no new roads or other development will be permitted.
- 6,595 acres will be withdrawn from eligibility for mineral leasing in Naturita Canyon. No other uses in the canyon will be impacted.
Submit your letter to:
Mail: Honorable John T. Salazar
1188 E. 2nd Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
Fax: 970-259-9467 (Durango), 202-226-9669(DC)
Email:
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Phone: 970-259-1012 (Durango), 202-225-4761(DC)
Or click here to send a comment directly from the Congressman’s Contact webpage.
(You will have to enter your name, address, etc., and when it asks for a topic, put ‘environment’)
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• The expansion of Mount Sneffels Wilderness to incorporate key areas on its south side, including the area just above Telluride (San Miguel County), as well as an addition on the east to include WhiteHouse Mountain, Teakettle and other peaks in Ouray County
Map of Proposed Liberty Bell and Last Dollar Additions
Map of Proposed WhiteHouse Addition
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• The expansion of Lizard Head Wilderness to incorporate lands in Silver Pick Basin, above Sunshine Mesa, and areas off Lizard Head Pass
Map of Proposed Wilson, Sunshine, San Bernardo and Black Face Additions to Lizard Head Wilderness
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• Sheep Mountain Special Management Area, outlined by the stunning ridge-line formed by Sheep Mountain, Pilot Knob, U.S. Grant, and South Lookout Peaks as well as Hope Lake
Map of Proposed Sheep Mountain Special Management Area
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• The northern portion of the McKenna Peak Wilderness Study area and adjacent Citizen Proposed lands in Disappointment Valley, adding critical mid-elevation lands to the wilderness system and part of the Spring Creek Basin wild horse management area
Map of Proposed McKenna Peak Area
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• Protection from oil and gas leasing for Naturita Canyon near Norwood.
Map of Proposed Naturita Canyon Withdraw
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more info...!
