Welcome
to the July Conservation Chronicles, the monthly e-news digest of CMC
Conservation. We seek to provide meaningful opportunities for CMC
members and the public to engage in conservation advocacy and
stewardship projects. I hope you'll be inspired to take action in some
way, whether by sending an email to a policymaker, writing a letter to
the editor of your local paper, or signing up on one of our volunteer
service stewardship projects. Policymakers truly listen to CMC members
because we know these lands almost better than anyone. Specific comments
about how you value protection of specific places that you've hiked or
climbed in are tremendously helpful and given more credence. Together,
we are working to keep Colorado beautiful, protect its lands and waters,
and give back to places that have enriched our lives.
For the mountains,Scott Braden
Protecting Wild Places - Make Your Voice Heard
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| Lake Irwin and Ruby Peak in Gunnison County. Photo by Scott Braden |
Central Rocky Mountains -
Senator Mark Udall is still collecting public input on the possible
designation of wilderness for up to 32 areas in Pitkin, Summit and Eagle
counties. It is important that the Senator receive a clear signal for
public support for protection of these important mid-elevation lands
that are critical wildlife habitat and popular for human-powered
recreation. Please comment and view proposal maps at http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=52
Browns Canyon -
Sen. Udall is also listening to public input for protecting Browns
Canyon of the Arkansas River. The proposal includes designation of a
National Monument for about 32,000 acres with an additional wilderness
designation within that boundary. Maps of the proposal and the public
comment form can be found at http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=51
Hermosa Creek -
Last week Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Hermosa Creek Watershed
Protection Act. This bill would protect 108,000 acres as a Special
Management Area, including designation of 37,236 acres of wilderness.
This large, roadless area is part of the San Juan National Forest, just
northwest of Durango. Maps, text of the legislation and public comment
form is found at http://www.bennet.senate.gov/hermosacreek/
Gunnison County -
Sen. Bennet is also beginning to solicit input on a possible lands
protection bill for Gunnison County. It's early in the process and there
is no bill or maps yet. But let the Senator know what places you value
protecting in this vast county that includes Crested Butte, Kebler and
McClure Passes and Marble. http://www.bennet.senate.gov/gunnisonpubliclands
CMC Stewardship Trips
Four Pass Loop Trail Work
The
Colorado Mountain Club will work with USFS White River National Forest
and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer staff to repair heavily used and
eroding trails at Buckskin and Willow Passes. Open to the public, but
backpacking experience is required.
Ophir Fen Restoration
The
Colorado Mountain Club will work with Mountain Studies Institute, San
Juan Citizens Alliance, USFS, and Durango Mountain Resorts to restore
wetlands disturbed during historic mining activities. Planting and
erosion control. Open to the public. Car camping.
Beaver Brook Trail Maintenance
Did
you know that both CMC and Denver Mountain Parks are celebrating their
Centennials in 2012? Join the CMC and Denver Mountain Parks to work on
maintaining this awesome Front Range trail overlooking Clear Creek
Canyon. Open to the public. Lunch provided!
Sand Wash Basin Restoration
CMC
returns to Moffat County to celebrate National Public Lands Day with
the Bureau of Land Management and a local equestrian club. Assist with
trail work and clean up of Sand Wash. Sand Wash Basin is surrounded by
ridges and mesas and is home to a herd of wild horses.Open to the
public. Car camping.
Access Updates
Proposed Eldora Ski Resort Expansion
We have learned that the Eldora expansion plan has been modified from the 2011 Master Plan. This modification will have significant impacts on the Jenny Creek Trail and the access to the Arestua Hut. See the map of the proposed Eldora expansion: http://eldoraeis.com/media/uploads/scoping_map.pdf
If
you look near the top of the map, the proposed ski area expansion
significantly overlays the Jenny Creek trail. This could have impacts to
access to the Jenny Creek drainage and the Arestua hut. It's not clear
that Eldora has plans to mitigate these access concerns. The public
feedback period for the Eldora expansion, which ends on August 6th. You
can learn more about the process and give feedback at the Forest Service
website: http://e2.ma/click/0v3ze/omwyhl/g8nc1. We strongly encourage your feedback to the Forest Service by August 6th.
Crestone/Cottonwood Creek Trail
The
Cottonwood Creek Trail south of the town of Crestone, and the historic
west side pathway to the Crestones & other peaks, is open for the
summer. Prospective climbers are asked to contact the manager of the
Baca Grande Water & Sanitation District, Steve Harrell
(steve@bacawater.com) in advance of arrival. Since the available parking
is on Water/San property, they need to know who is climbing in case
there is a need for search/rescue service. He can also update climbers
in case something changes later in the summer. Continue Reading....