Date: 05/26/2010 BRC ACTION ALERT
MEETINGS ANNOUNCED FOR HIDDEN GEMS WILDERNESS BILL
PLEASE ATTEND OR CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN
Dear BRC member and supporter in Colorado,
After over a year of wrangling between local governments, mountain bikers, cattlemen, snowmobilers and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the Hidden Gems Campaign has formally submitted a proposal to U.S. Representative Jared Polis.
Its worthwhile to note that the original Hidden Gems proposal was pegged at just under 600,000 acres, but the proposal submitted to Rep. Polis stands at 243,000 acres of public lands managed by the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
Kudos to local snowmobile clubs as well as the White River Forest Alliance who have worked diligently to defend recreational access to these prized Colorado backcountry destinations.
While the proposal has been drastically reduced, it is still fatally flawed. One key flaw is that few of the acres actually meet the definition of Wilderness as outlined in the 1964 Act. These acres are best managed by the existing Forest Plan or perhaps a more recreation friendly designation such as a National Recreation Area.
Other key flaws are the closure of some prized snowmobile and OHV areas including Elliot Ridge, Hoosier Ridge, Porcupine and Ten Mile in Summit County. Eagle County could also lose Lower Pinney, Freeman Creek, Basalt Mtn, Spradle Creek and No Name.
BRC encourages everyone who can to attend at least one of the open houses. We've included an Action Alert below with the dates, times and locations as well as some additional information.
As always, thanks in advance for your action and please call or email if you have any questions or comments.
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
BRC ACTION ALERT
MEETINGS ANNOUNCED FOR HIDDEN GEMS WILDERNESS BILL
PLEASE ATTEND OR CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN
SITUATION:
U.S. Representative Jared Polis has scheduled several events to take public input on the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal. The "Hidden Gems Coalition" recently submitted to the Congressman a formal proposal for new designated wilderness areas in the White River National Forest and BLM lands within Summit and Eagle Counties.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Rep. Polis is asking all stakeholders for their input and full participation in an extensive public review process. Critical in this effort are a series of Public Forums. Please attend one of the public forum meetings and make your concerns known.
Boulder, Colorado - Tuesday, June 1
5:30-7:00 pm
Boulder Public Library
Canyon Theater
1000 Canyon Boulevard
Boulder, CO 80302
Edwards, Colorado - Thursday, June 3
5:30-7:00 pm
Battle Mountain High School
Auditorium
151 Miller Ranch Road
Edwards, CO 81632
Breckenridge, Colorado - Friday, June 4
12:00-1:30 pm
Colorado Mountain College, Breckenridge Campus
Community Auditorium
107 Denison Placer Road
Breckenridge, CO 80424
All public lands users are urged to email any detailed comments or known use conflicts on the Hidden Gems proposal to feedback.polis@mail.house.gov. Interested individuals can also contact Nissa Erickson at 970.668.3240 to schedule a separate meeting.
You may also wish to contact your US Congressman or Senator directly. Find contact info by clicking here and entering your zip code.
Learn more on the web:
Rep. Polis Hidden Gems Webpage
Detailed Maps and other info here
http://polis.house.gov/Wilderness/
The Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign:
www.whiteriverwild.org/
White River Forest Alliance
www.whiteriverforestalliance.org/
Colorado Snowmobile Association
www.coloradosledcity.com/
As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!
Link
MEETINGS ANNOUNCED FOR HIDDEN GEMS WILDERNESS BILL
PLEASE ATTEND OR CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN
Dear BRC member and supporter in Colorado,
After over a year of wrangling between local governments, mountain bikers, cattlemen, snowmobilers and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the Hidden Gems Campaign has formally submitted a proposal to U.S. Representative Jared Polis.
Its worthwhile to note that the original Hidden Gems proposal was pegged at just under 600,000 acres, but the proposal submitted to Rep. Polis stands at 243,000 acres of public lands managed by the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
Kudos to local snowmobile clubs as well as the White River Forest Alliance who have worked diligently to defend recreational access to these prized Colorado backcountry destinations.
While the proposal has been drastically reduced, it is still fatally flawed. One key flaw is that few of the acres actually meet the definition of Wilderness as outlined in the 1964 Act. These acres are best managed by the existing Forest Plan or perhaps a more recreation friendly designation such as a National Recreation Area.
Other key flaws are the closure of some prized snowmobile and OHV areas including Elliot Ridge, Hoosier Ridge, Porcupine and Ten Mile in Summit County. Eagle County could also lose Lower Pinney, Freeman Creek, Basalt Mtn, Spradle Creek and No Name.
BRC encourages everyone who can to attend at least one of the open houses. We've included an Action Alert below with the dates, times and locations as well as some additional information.
As always, thanks in advance for your action and please call or email if you have any questions or comments.
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
BRC ACTION ALERT
MEETINGS ANNOUNCED FOR HIDDEN GEMS WILDERNESS BILL
PLEASE ATTEND OR CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN
SITUATION:
U.S. Representative Jared Polis has scheduled several events to take public input on the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal. The "Hidden Gems Coalition" recently submitted to the Congressman a formal proposal for new designated wilderness areas in the White River National Forest and BLM lands within Summit and Eagle Counties.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Rep. Polis is asking all stakeholders for their input and full participation in an extensive public review process. Critical in this effort are a series of Public Forums. Please attend one of the public forum meetings and make your concerns known.
Boulder, Colorado - Tuesday, June 1
5:30-7:00 pm
Boulder Public Library
Canyon Theater
1000 Canyon Boulevard
Boulder, CO 80302
Edwards, Colorado - Thursday, June 3
5:30-7:00 pm
Battle Mountain High School
Auditorium
151 Miller Ranch Road
Edwards, CO 81632
Breckenridge, Colorado - Friday, June 4
12:00-1:30 pm
Colorado Mountain College, Breckenridge Campus
Community Auditorium
107 Denison Placer Road
Breckenridge, CO 80424
All public lands users are urged to email any detailed comments or known use conflicts on the Hidden Gems proposal to feedback.polis@mail.house.gov. Interested individuals can also contact Nissa Erickson at 970.668.3240 to schedule a separate meeting.
You may also wish to contact your US Congressman or Senator directly. Find contact info by clicking here and entering your zip code.
Learn more on the web:
Rep. Polis Hidden Gems Webpage
Detailed Maps and other info here
http://polis.house.gov/Wilderness/
The Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign:
www.whiteriverwild.org/
White River Forest Alliance
www.whiteriverforestalliance.org/
Colorado Snowmobile Association
www.coloradosledcity.com/
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
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As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!
Link