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Release Date: December 17, 2010
Hidden Gems Wilderness supporters are chalking up 2010 as a big win for the environment in Eagle and Summit Counties, as well as in Pitkin and Gunnsion. This November, the Board of County Commissioners in Summit and Eagle counties issued letters of support for Congressman Jared Polis’ Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act (HR 6280), a bill to preserve nearly 170,000 acres as wilderness or as special management areas. Rep. Polis introduced the bill in Congress in late September. In Pitkin and Gunnison counties, the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal has also received endorsement. The Pitkin County Commissioners endorsed Hidden Gems areas in the Roaring Fork Valley on Nov. 17 by a 4-0 vote. Gunnison County Commissioners endorsed areas in that county on Dec. 7 by a 2-1 vote. Pitkin and Gunnison are part of the Third Congressional District, which will be represented by Scott Tipton in the next Congress. “The year ended on a strong note,” said Pete Kolbenschlag, director of the Hidden Gems Campaign. “The Eagle and Summit Wilderness Preservation Act is ready for adoption because of two years of outreach by the Hidden Gems team and the tremendous work this year by Congressman Polis and his staff. We urge Senators Udall and Bennet to work with the congressman to protect these lands.” As for Pitkin and Gunnison Counties, Kolbenschlag pointed out that the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal has been endorsed by scores of local businesses and organizations, thousands of residents and both boards of Commissioners. “We are confident that we can demonstrate strong local support when we bring this proposal to our incoming congressman,” he said. Both the Eagle and Summit letters noted the thorough community engagement that went into crafting the Polis legislation, and the value of wilderness to their communities In their letter to Rep. Polis, the Eagle County Commissioners said: “…the high quality of natural environments provided by wilderness serve as an anchor for our recreation — resort economy, and they unquestionably enhance the quality of life of all of our citizens. As such, we are strong advocates of wilderness and special management designations as appropriate mechanisms to preserve and manage areas of high conservation values.” “HR 6280 identifies a number of new high elevation areas in Eagle County suitable for wilderness designation, but its focus on lower elevation transitional areas that support previously unprotected habitats and environments makes it especially appropriate in the rapidly growing Mountain West.” In Pitkin and Gunnison counties, where the County Commissioners endorsed the broader Gems proposal, both noted the campaign’s robust outreach to winning their final approval and lauded the natural qualities of these lands. “The Hidden Gems supporters, staff and multitude of volunteers deserve a round of applause for their foresight and diligence,” said Pitkin County Commissioner Rachel Richards. ”The potential protection wilderness designation will afford our public lands is an unparalleled gift to the natural environment and to future generations of Coloradans.” In 2011, Hidden Gems proponents will work to put a proposal for Pitkin and Gunnison counties before Congressman Tipton. Work will continue in Eagle and Summit counties as well. If Eagle and Summit Wilderness Preservation Act is passed into law during the lame duck session, the campaign will work on getting additional Hidden Gems proposal areas, which were left out of the Act, protected. If HR 6280 does not become law during the lame duck, the campaign will advocate for its reintroduction. |
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