DeGette Urges President Obama to Protect Browns Canyon

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) urged President Obama to consider designating Browns Canyon as a National Monument and closely examine community support for protecting the area. Rep. DeGette expressed her support in a letter to the President as the 113th Congress draws to a close.

“Browns Canyon has been a top priority for protection in Colorado for decades, and a National Monument designation would receive broad local support, offer permanent environmental benefits, and help the local economy,” DeGette wrote in the letter. She added that Browns Canyon “stands out for its unique geologic features, its important wildlife habitats, and the broad recognition that this area is best served by maintaining its pristine condition.”

Rep. DeGette has been the primary sponsor of the Colorado Wilderness Act since 1999. In that time, she has worked with partners across Colorado to identify suitable areas for wilderness designation and build necessary support from local communities for such a change. Browns Canyon has always been a part of Colorado Wilderness Act proposals and has stood out with its strong local support.

With her letter to President Obama, Rep. DeGette joined Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, who have both urged President Obama to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Browns Canyon as a National Monument.

Full text of Rep. DeGette’s letter to the president is available below:

November 26, 2014

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I write to encourage your Administration to consider Browns Canyon, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, for designation as a National Monument by your authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Browns Canyon has been a top priority for protection in Colorado for decades, and a National Monument designation would receive broad local support, offer permanent environmental benefits, and help the local economy.

Over the past 15 years, I have worked to pass the Colorado Wilderness Act with partners from across the state, and one of my highest priority areas for wilderness designation in that legislation has been Browns Canyon. This area stands out for its unique geologic features, its important wildlife habitats, and the broad recognition that this area is best served by maintaining its pristine condition. Surrounding communities have benefitted tremendously from the fishing and rafting activities nearby on the Upper Arkansas River, and the unique topography in Browns Canyon offers challenging hiking and stunning views.

As you may know, both of Colorado’s Senators support National Monument designation for Browns Canyon and have developed legislation to do so. Like Senators Udall and Bennet, I remain committed to legislative action to protect wild areas across Colorado, but the time has come for your administration to hear from Chaffee County stakeholders and consider a National Monument designation. In the short and medium term, Congress will most likely fail to act legislatively, but citizens in the nearby area and across Colorado cannot wait. A National Monument designation will provide environmental and economic certainty and security that Colorado needs.

I have heard many different opinions as I have traveled the state to build support for new Colorado wilderness areas, but those opinions are often rooted in a set of shared statewide values. Coloradoans want to preserve their history, their special quality of life, and their opportunities. I believe designation of Browns Canyon as a National Monument would do just that, and I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to make this happen.

Colorado’s beautiful lands are one of our state’s greatest resources. They not only provide clean air, clean water and critical wildlife habitat, they help drive tourism as our state’s number one economic engine. It is critically important we protect our remaining wild areas so that future generations have access to the same benefits we enjoy today.

Sincerely,

Diana DeGette
Member of Congress

###