U.S. REP. John Salazar is to be credited for introducing legislation last week to protect about 60,000 acres as wilderness in western Colorado.
The 3rd District Democrat's San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill would cover stretches of U.S. Forest and Bureau of Land Management land in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan counties at the request of those local governments. Among the lands are Mount Sneffels and WilsonPeak, two of Colorado's "fourteeners" - mountains at least 14,000 feet high.
Rep. Salazar noted that San Miguel, Ouray and San JuanCounty officials have expressed their hope that a portion of the natural lands that surround them will be given a wilderness designation for future generations. This is a far cry from a 3rd District wilderness bill introduced two years ago by Denver Democratic 1st District Rep. Diana DeGette.
That bill drew the scorn of officials in the area targeted by Rep. DeGette. John Sandoval, chairman of the Conejos County Board of Commissioners, for one said neither Rep. DeGette nor her staff had called to discuss the proposal with any of the commissioners in that county.
When it comes to looking out for local interests in the 3rd District, we're glad John Salazar is open to requests by the people most affected by acts of Congress.
