Wilderness News

U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., on Thursday introduced a bill that would provide wilderness and other protections to 61,682 acres in the San Juan Mountains region.

The measure would include additions to the Mount Sneffels and Lizard Head wilderness areas and create an 8,614-acre wilderness area at McKenna Peak in the lower Dolores River Basin.

Sometimes we chide City Council for taking time to hereby resolve something. A resolution? Big deal! The city's intent to be against the border fence is one. It did nothing to stop the fence.

Here's one that will also wind up in the "resolutions" folder in a file cabinet, but it's an example of how a resolution can get people to think.

This week, City Council gave a ditto to a bill in Congress that would protect thousands of acres of wilderness and scenic areas near Las Cruces.

The other day, as I watched the leaves whip through the forest near my home, I thought of an old friend. He and I used to visit the Bob Marshall Wilderness every hunting season. We would leave camp in the morning before first light. Once we got him close to an elk he would place it squarely in the rifle sights four or five times. Then he would lower the gun, clap his hands, and head back to camp happy as could be.

For him, the payoff wasn't a trophy or filling up the freezer. It was the journey of getting far from civilization and experiencing something my outfitting mentor, Tom

Unnoticed by many, two members of Congress from Washington have decided it's about time to do something to resolve the seemingly endless debate over the future of our last roadless lands.

Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Jay Inslee, both Democrats, have re-introduced the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (S.1738, H.R. 3563) to codify the Clinton-era Roadless Rule that has been on a legal roller coaster for the past nine years.

Delaware, the only state in the country lacking a national park, would finally have one under legislation introduced yesterday by its congressional delegation.

The proposed park, to be dubbed "First State National Historical Park," would have a central headquarters in New Castle and connect to a series of historic sites and attractions across the state.

Democratic Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman and Rep. Mike Castle (R) said the bill came as a result of years of local studies and meetings.

The City Council gave moral support Tuesday to a proposal that would protect thousands of acres of wilderness and other scenic areas in Southern New Mexico.

Council members voted 6-0 for a resolution backing a bill introduced last month by New Mexico's Democratic U.S. senators, Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall.

The legislation would designate 259,000 acres in Doña Ana County as wilderness and another 100,000 acres as national conservation areas. Uses such as hiking, hunting and cattle grazing would still be allowed.

I am a Gypsum resident who sup­ports the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign. Wilderness is a vital com­ponent of Eagle County's economic stability and high quality of living. The Hidden Gems proposal is an investment in our future, protecting the lands that are the foundation of our tourism economy. Wilderness designation enhances backcountry experiences, including hunting, fish­ing, hiking and kayaking, by preserv­ing the ecosystems and landscapes that support these activities.

In celebrating the 45th anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness Act this month, we must keep an eye to the future of Central Oregon's wild deserts. As President Obama said when he declared September 2009 "National Wilderness Month," if we can work together to protect more of our nation's wilderness, "... we will ensure that future generations inherit the unique gift of knowing nature's peace."

There have been many negative comments about the Hidden Gems agenda, which makes me sad. As I understand, it is their goal is to preserve lands in the National Forest at the 10,000-foot level from new roads and other developements. I have lived in upper Lake Creek for the last 10 years and have seen many changes in our wildlife's population and behavior. Because of the huge pressure animals face due to development in their former winter ranges in lower elevations, it is important to preserve the mid-level lands that are still undeveloped.

There are many people trying to protect the Organ Mountains ranging from sportsmen, business owners, conservationists and elected officials. The "Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act" is being pushed in Washington, D.C., by New Mexico Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall. If passed, the measure will protect almost 400,000 acres of public land in Dona Ana County, and would ensure the protection of watersheds, hunting, recreational opportunities as well as cultural resources like petroglyphs.