Congressman Salazar testifies on Capitol Hill in support of San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill

“A place of beauty and wonder for our children and grandchildren”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar testified before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands in a formal hearing on HR 3914, the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill of 2009. 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. 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.  

During today’s hearing, Congressman Salazar said:

“This bill is the product of long, hard work and I thank all of those from my district who were involved in this process. This bill has earned broad support within Colorado's Third Congressional District and I am proud of the support which has come from long negotiations and consensus building...The San Juan Mountains are one of Colorado’s most treasured landscapes, a land of soaring peaks, beautiful forests and crystal clear water. This bill will ensure that these areas remain a place of beauty and wonder for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

(A full copy of the Congressman’s testimony is attached.)

Following the hearing, Congressman Salazar said:

 “I am very pleased to see the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act receive a hearing today. This legislation is something that three of the counties I represent have requested and this hearing is an important step in moving this legislation forward. The beauty of the San Juan Mountains is why people love to live there and what brings tourists to Southwest Colorado to sustain our economy. The permanent protection this bill gives to these scenic areas will help ensure this economic benefit for the future. I look forward to working to move this important bill forward towards passage.”

Rep. Salazar’s San Juan Mountain Wilderness Act was requested by the County Commissions of San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan County. It has the official support of the municipalities of Telluride, Mountain Village, Ridgway, Ouray, Ophir, and Norwood.

Provisions of the bill:
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 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.

For more info about the bill please see: http://www.house.gov/salazar/sjmw.shtml