CONGRESSMAN TIPTON'S STAFF TO HOST TELLURIDE OPEN HOUSE • FEB 10TH 7-9PM

Drop by the Commissioner Meeting Room in the Miramonte Building from 7-9pm on Feb. 10th to let the Congressman's staff hear the broad base of support for the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill. After years of stakeholder outreach and community compromise this balanced proposal to preserve just over 61,000 acres of public lands will protect our clean air and water, increase our quiet recreational opportunities and the associated economic benefits to our regional communities, enhance the wild lands for the wild creatures and ensure that these fragile ecosystems are left untrammeled for future generations. Congressman Tipton has indicated that he will make a decision after this meeting.

Please drop by the "Open House" to voice your support in person OR

Contact the Congressman with your support today

Phone: 970-241-2499

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SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS BILL INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE BY UDALL AND BENNET!

Recognizing the broad base of support from San Miguel, San Juan and Ouray Counties Senators Udall and Bennet re-introduced the San Juan Mountain Wilderness Act in the Senate on September 27, 2011. (Please read the press release here.) SMA working with our conservation partners initially presented a wilderness proposal to then Congressman John 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 to protect just over 61,000 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. Unfortunately Congress failed to pass any Wilderness Bills last session. We will continue to work with the Senators to help this bill through committee. We need your help to educate Congressman Tipton on the merits of this broadly supported land conservation proposal.

Please contact Senators Udall and Bennet with your thanks today!

Senator Udall: Phone: 202-224-5941

http://markudall.senate.gov/

Senator Bennet: Phone: 202-224-5852

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Please contact Congressman Tipton with your support for the bill.

Phone: 970-241-2499

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Included in the Senate Bill:

The following areas will receive Wilderness Area designations:

• 3,150 acres will be added to the existing Lizard Head Wilderness Area by the Blackface, Sunshine and Wilson additions.
• 8,240 acres will be added to the existing Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Liberty Bell and Last Dollar additions.
• 12,975 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:

• 21,620 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.
• 6,600 acres will be withdrawn from eligibility for mineral leasing in Naturita Canyon so that drilling will not be allowed in the canyon itself. No other uses in the canyon will be impacted.

Download high-res map - PDF