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County backs wilderness designation
The Mesa County Commission unanimously adopted a resolution today supporting Congressional legislation that would create the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Dominquez Canyon Wilderness Area.
The area is west of Delta and Montrose and south of Grand Junction on 200,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management property on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
The subject has been in the congressional pipeline for conservation status for the past two years.
The commissioners are just the latest in a long train of supporters who have backed the proposal, which is expected to be introduced later this year by Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colorado, and could be acted on by Congress later this year.
“This is a result of countless hours contributed by citizens and various public officials,” said Commissioner Steve Acquafresca.
The resolution passed by the commission today represents a compromise reached among the various users of the area — off-road enthusiasts, hikers, bikers, horse riders, etc… — through a series of public discussions.
“Nobody got everything they want, at the same time nobody felt their particular feature would be in jeopardy,” Acquafresca said.
Delta County recently passed a similar resolution and Montrose is also expected to pass one in support of the national designation.
A handful of residents expressed their support of the decision to support the pending legislation.
“This will be one of the most important steps you take as a board,” Bill Grant, president of the Western Colorado Congress, told the commission, adding that this decision would have effects long after they are dead.
“It is a gift to us, our children and all our future grandchildren,” said Barbara Meeysenburg. She said she and her friends hike there on a regular basis and have determined the area a grand place worthy of national protection.
Sen. Salazar would agree.
He put out a call in 2006 and late last year to rally support for the conservation area.
He intends to introduce legislation later this year that would safeguard the area for decades to come.
“Much time has been spent hearing public opinion on the creation of a National Conservation Area for the Dominguez-Escalante area and it is important the county commissioners now have the time to review the public’s input,” Salazar said in a news release issued late last year. “I look forward to hearing their recommendations and stand ready to assist in anyway possible on further action.”
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