Congressman Salazar introduces 61,682 acre San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act

“The lands which define the character and spirit of our great state and nation”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation includes 61,682 acres of public land on portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area. All of the acreage affected by this proposal is in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties. A wilderness designation was requested by the County Commissions of those three counties and the bill has the support of the towns of Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, Mountain Village, Norwood, and Ophir. The bill will provide permanent protection for some of Colorado’s most renowned views and mountains including the slopes of Mt. Sneffels and Wilson Peak; two of the state’s most famous “fourteeners”-peaks above fourteen thousand feet.

On the introduction of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill, Congressman Salazar offered the following comment:

“San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan County representatives have expressed their hope that a portion of the natural lands that surround them will be given a wilderness designation for future generations. These are the lands which define the character and spirit of our great state and nation and as such, it is my honor today to introduce the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill.”

Art Goodtimes San Miguel County Commissioner had this to say about the proposed bill:

“My thanks to Congressman Salazar for introducing a wilderness bill that will protect some of Colorado’s most treasured landscapes and that has the support of local county governments as well as local and state conservation groups. This wilderness bill was built from the ground up bringing together all stakeholders to produce a final bill that has a broad base of support. I thank the Congressman for his work on this bill and look forward to working with him to secure its passage.”

Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner, noted:

“The citizens of Ouray and San Miguel Counties requested that the new areas proposed in this bill be designated as wilderness, and it speaks highly of Congressman John Salazar that he and his staff have met with the local landowners, local governments to make sure that the designation boundaries are as perfect as possible to meet the spirit of the Wilderness Act while also protecting private property rights. The portions of our County now proposed for federal wilderness designation in the bill will certainly add value to the existing areas. Our citizens and visitors value the Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains and its high country wilderness areas for winter and summer recreational opportunities like horseback riding, backpacking, snowshoeing and x-country skiing.”

Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner offered the following comment:

“San Juan County is overjoyed that the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act is being introduced by Congressman Salazar. What a great example of cooperative partnerships between the federal government, local stakeholders and elected officials working together for the benefit of all.”

Liza Clarke a grazing permit holder in Ouray County on lands that will be designated as wilderness by this bill noted:

“As a grazing permittee I know that it is critically important for the livestock community to have access to our unspoiled high country. That access is vital for our operations to stay in business. This bill preserves that access and protects our high country for future generations. I support this bill and thank Congressman Salazar for his leadership on this issue.”

Summary of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill:

This legislation includes various levels of protection for 61,682 acres of public land on portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area. All of the acreage affected by this proposal is in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties and the designations in this bill have the support of the County Commissions of those three counties.

Under this proposed legislation the following areas will receive Wilderness Area designations:

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
In addition, two other designations will be created by the proposed legislation.

21,697 acres in San Juan and San Miguel County including Ice Lakes basin outside of Silverton and the high alpine peaks near Ophir will be designated as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. Existing uses including heliisking will be allowed to continue indefinitely, 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.
Key Provisions

Hardrock 100 Race

A pre-existing running event, the Hardrock 100 will be allowed to continue in any areas designated as Wilderness or Special Management Area by this legislation.

Water language

The water language in the proposal prohibits any federal water rights and guarantees access for water users to maintain and repair water facilities.

Grazing

Grazing will continue in all areas designated by the bill as allowed under current law.

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	For immediate release: October 22, 2009
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Contact: (202) 536-6190 Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
	Congressman Salazar introduces 61,682 acre San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act
	“The lands which define the character and spirit of our great state and nation” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation includes 61,682 acres of public land on portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area. All of the acreage affected by this proposal is in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties. A wilderness designation was requested by the County Commissions of those three counties and the bill has the support of the towns of Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, Mountain Village, Norwood, and Ophir. The bill will provide permanent protection for some of Colorado’s most renowned views and mountains including the slopes of Mt. Sneffels and Wilson Peak; two of the state’s most famous “fourteeners”-peaks above fourteen thousand feet. On the introduction of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill, Congressman Salazar offered the following comment: “San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan County representatives have expressed their hope that a portion of the natural lands that surround them will be given a wilderness designation for future generations. These are the lands which define the character and spirit of our great state and nation and as such, it is my honor today to introduce the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill.” Art Goodtimes San Miguel County Commissioner had this to say about the proposed bill: “My thanks to Congressman Salazar for introducing a wilderness bill that will protect some of Colorado’s most treasured landscapes and that has the support of local county governments as well as local and state conservation groups. This wilderness bill was built from the ground up bringing together all stakeholders to produce a final bill that has a broad base of support. I thank the Congressman for his work on this bill and look forward to working with him to secure its passage.” Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner, noted: “The citizens of Ouray and San Miguel Counties requested that the new areas proposed in this bill be designated as wilderness, and it speaks highly of Congressman John Salazar that he and his staff have met with the local landowners, local governments to make sure that the designation boundaries are as perfect as possible to meet the spirit of the Wilderness Act while also protecting private property rights. The portions of our County now proposed for federal wilderness designation in the bill will certainly add value to the existing areas. Our citizens and visitors value the Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains and its high country wilderness areas for winter and summer recreational opportunities like horseback riding, backpacking, snowshoeing and x-country skiing.” Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner offered the following comment: “San Juan County is overjoyed that the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act is being introduced by Congressman Salazar. What a great example of cooperative partnerships between the federal government, local stakeholders and elected officials working together for the benefit of all.” Liza Clarke a grazing permit holder in Ouray County on lands that will be designated as wilderness by this bill noted: “As a grazing permittee I know that it is critically important for the livestock community to have access to our unspoiled high country. That access is vital for our operations to stay in business. This bill preserves that access and protects our high country for future generations. I support this bill and thank Congressman Salazar for his leadership on this issue.” Summary of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill: This legislation includes various levels of protection for 61,682 acres of public land on portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area. All of the acreage affected by this proposal is in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties and the designations in this bill have the support of the County Commissions of those three counties. Under this proposed legislation the following areas will receive Wilderness Area designations: 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 In addition, two other designations will be created by the proposed legislation. 21,697 acres in San Juan and San Miguel County including Ice Lakes basin outside of Silverton and the high alpine peaks near Ophir will be designated as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. Existing uses including heliisking will be allowed to continue indefinitely, 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. Key Provisions Hardrock 100 Race A pre-existing running event, the Hardrock 100 will be allowed to continue in any areas designated as Wilderness or Special Management Area by this legislation. Water language The water language in the proposal prohibits any federal water rights and guarantees access for water users to maintain and repair water facilities. Grazing Grazing will continue in all areas designated by the bill as allowed under current law.
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