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Release Date: August 27, 2010
Four major Colorado environmental groups today urged residents throughout the state to rally behind Congressman Jared Polis’s proposal to protect 170,000 acres of public lands in Eagle and Summit Counties.
“Congressman Polis has worked hard to gather citizen input and craft a wilderness proposal,” said Steve Smith, assistant director of The Wilderness Society in Colorado “He deserves credit for his willingness to take the desires of his constituents into account and create a proposal that is ready to be moved through Congress.”
The Wilderness Society and the three other groups that comprise the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign are urging their members and the public at large to support the Polis proposal. Those groups include Golden-based Colorado Mountain Club, Carbondale-based Wilderness Workshop and the Colorado Environmental Coalition, based in Denver.
Rep. Jared Polis has released draft legislation, the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act, which would result in significant additions to the Eagles Nest, Ptarmigan and Holy Cross Wilderness Areas in Eagle and Summit Counties, part of the Second Congressional District that he represents. When passed, it will also protect a number of new stand alone areas either with wilderness designation or, in the cases where military helicopter training occurs, special management status with wilderness quality land protection that ensures training can continue.
“As Colorado’s population increases and pressure on our backcountry grows, common-sense proposals like this one from Congressman Polis will ensure wild places remain available to the public,” said Bryan Martin, director of conservation at the Golden-based Colorado Mountain Club, one of the state’s oldest and largest conservation groups.
“Outdoor enthusiasts should applaud this effort,” he added.
The Polis draft legislation is built on two pillars – areas in and around the White River National Forest identified by federal agencies as appropriate for wilderness designation, and additional roadless lands identified by conservationists as wilderness-quality.
Hidden Gems advocates are particularly excited with the prospect of securing protection for places like Castle Peak north of Eagle, Red Table between Gypsum and the Fryingpan River and Spraddle Creek outside Vail.
“Congressman Polis’ proposal would ensure that these wilderness quality lands are left just as they are today for future generations,” said Kurt Kunkle, public lands organizer for the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
“We urge all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to quickly get behind this effort and work for prompt passage of this legislation,” he said.
Congressman Polis’ draft of the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act will be reviewed further by the state’s congressional delegation when Congress returns from its summer recess in September.
“While we believe that additional areas deserve protection as wilderness, and look forward to working with the congressman in the near future to secure that protection for those areas, it is important that people support this proposal by Congressman Polis,” said Sloan Shoemaker, executive director of the Wilderness Workshop
“Please, call, e-mail or write the Congressman and our Senators with your support,” Shoemaker said.
For more information: Rep. Jared Polis’ proposed Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act - http://polis.house.gov/Wilderness/
Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign –
For additional assistance, contact Allyn Harvey at (970) 618-2342. |
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