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Release Date: August 16, 2010
Community leaders from around Central Colorado and wilderness advocates today offered praise for Congressman Jared Polis' effort to move legislation forward that would designate some of the last remaining untrammeled public lands in Eagle and Summit counties as wilderness. Rep. Polis, representing the 2nd Congressional District that includes these lands, has proposed the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act. As drafted, this proposal would result in significant additions to the Eagles Nest, Ptarmigan and Holy Cross Wilderness Areas in Summit and Eagle Counties. It also protects a number of new stand alone areas in Eagle County, with either wilderness designation or, in the cases where military helicopter training occurs, special management status. Below are quotes from local elected officials and environmental leaders about the Congressman's action: Peter Runyon, Eagle County Commissioner: I'm thrilled with the professional manner in which Congressman Polis' office has moved forward this vibrant piece of proposed legislation that will preserve wilderness for future generations. Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County Commissioner: Rep. Polis' action is a giant step forward in securing Colorado's natural legacy. Wilderness designation will help protect our remaining intact ecosystems, wildlife habitat and migration corridors. I applaud Congressman Polis, his dedicated staff, and the many groups of people doing the difficult work of reaching consensus. John Warner, Breckenridge Mayor: I am happy to hear Congressman Polis has explored this subject. I admire him for stepping into the fray and gaining a greater understanding of the various wilderness and other public lands proposals for Summit County. I think the process was very positive. It included a lot of different groups. I feel like Rep. Polis helped bring together wilderness advocates, mountain bikers and others to move this forward. I also think it was great that the wildfire council had some sway in the talks, with watershed protection and wildfire mitigation. Pete McBride, Basalt Town Council: Congressman Polis deserves credit for this visionary action. Wilderness is a key part of the conservation toolbox, and conservation is critical to the future of Colorado. As a native Coloradan, a rancher, an outdoor enthusiast, a resident and trustee of the town of Basalt, I know that protecting the Fryingpan River watershed, which this bill would help do, is critical to the health of our community and the environment. Jon Stavney, Eagle County Commissioner: Wilderness is vital for our watersheds, ecology and our economy – it's why we live here. I'm excited that Congressman Polis saw the remarkable values of these areas and that his office came to the same conclusions that our Board did with regard to supporting some areas today and continuing to work on building consensus about the other equally important areas. Jay Heeter, Colorado Mountain Club: Congressman Polis' proposed bill will conserve some of Colorado's most valuable areas. These wilderness designations offer the strongest possible protection for our wildlife, watersheds and outdoor recreation. Coloradans generations from now will thank Representative Polis for his vision and his work. Steve Smith, Assistant Regional Director, The Wilderness Society: This is a true community proposal. Starting with a collection of the best wild landscapes in our region, it has been refined in response to local needs for water supplies, wildfire management, agriculture, recreation, even military training. Everyone should support Congressman Polis' smart, visionary initiative. Kurt Kunkle, Public Lands Organizer, Colorado Environmental Coalition: I'm proud of all that hard work that's gone into making this a solid proposal for protecting some of our amazing public lands. We all need to step up and help Mr. Polis's pass legislation this year. Sloan Shoemaker, Executive Director, Wilderness Workshop: We are thrilled that Rep. Polis is moving forward with wilderness legislation. This part of Colorado has a long heritage of using the Wilderness Act to protect these amazing lands and our communities have benefited immensely from that foresight. Mr. Polis' visionary leadership ensures that these lands will remain wild for good, giving wildlife and wild humans room to roam in perpetuity. Matt Garrington, Program Advocate, Environment Colorado: Rep. Jared Polis is a champion for our forest backcountry. Wilderness protection in the White River region is critical for wildlife habitat and keeping Colorado a beautiful place to live. Pete Kolbenschlag, Director, Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign: This is a great first step by Congressman Polis, and it's good for Colorado's environment, good for its resort economies and good for its people. We appreciate all the work that Congressman Polis and his staff have done to move legislation forward on a citizen-inspired wilderness initiative. |
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