"The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (H.R. 3914) moved an important step closer to enactment today at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands," said Marcia Argust, Campaign for America's Wilderness Policy Manager.
Representative John Salazar's legislation would protect more than 61,000 acres of public land in southwest Colorado--33,000 acres as wilderness--including additions to the Mount Sneffels and Lizard Head wilderness areas. "Active consideration by the House committee so early in this second session greatly improves chances the bill will pass into law this year," Argust said.
The designations in Rep. Salazar's legislation would expand the 480,000-acre San Juan National Forest wilderness and provide critical landscape linkages. The San Juan Mountain range is one of the most geologically diverse ranges in the world and is home to the threatened or endangered Canada lynx, Gunnison sage grouse, and Colorado River cutthroat trout.
"Thanks to Rep. Salazar's efforts to work closely with stakeholders, this legislation is broadly supported by local communities, elected officials, citizens at large, ranchers, the conservation community, recreationists, and local businesses. Rep. Salazar and his staff are to be commended for their inclusive and thorough approach in crafting this legislation," Argust added.
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
The Campaign for America's Wilderness works with state and local partners to protect the nation's last wild lands for future generations.
