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Congressman John T. Salazar -- Defending Rural Values -- Third District of Colorado
  For immediate release  
  April 6, 2007  
 

Congressman Salazar Announces $850,000 in initial funding for Ophir Valley Preservation Project

 
 

Money will go towards protecting open space

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) announced the United States Forest Service has allocated $850,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition in the Ophir Valley in San Miguel County.

This money will go toward purchasing old mining claims near the town of Ophir that local residents want to see bought to protect critical wildlife habitat, maintain recreational access on public lands, protect water quality, and help maintain the quality of life in the Ophir Valley.

The owner of the property in the Ophir Valley, the Pauls family, has worked with the Trust for Public land, local elected officials, Rep. Salazar and other members of the Colorado congressional delegation to make this project a reality.

“I am very pleased the Forest Service is able to provide these funds for the Ophir project this year. I have requested these funds through the federal budget for several years and have called on the Forest Service to make the Ophir project a high priority. These funds will go a long way to ensuring that valuable open space in the Ophir Valley is preserved for future generations. When I toured this land it was clear to me that this spectacular alpine valley was very worthy of protection. This funding is a critical first step for this project,” Salazar said.
 
For more information about the Ophir Valley project: Doug Robotham, State Director of Trust For Public Land 303-837-1414 or 303-929-4199

 

 
 

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