Please come out to support responsible gas drilling in Colorado!
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is in the midst of putting together a new set of regulations that will protect human health and wildlife habitat in areas currently being developed for oil and gas drilling in CO. These rules provide much-needed protections while still allowing energy development to proceed. The industry is actively pushing back, arguing that these rules are not needed. The COGCC will be holding a public hearing on Monday, June 23rd from 8am-12 in Denver to hear what the public is thinking. This is the only chance you'll have to speak up and add your voice to those calling for these new protections. With 30,000 wells currently in Colorado, it is important that we have regulations that protect our air, water and wildlife.
For more information on the hearing and the rulemaking process, please go to Colorado’s Dirty Truth website. If you can't attend the hearing, you can also submit comments directly on the COGCC website.
Pike San Isabel National Forest to Re-start Forest Plan Revision
The Pike San Isabel National Forest has re-started its Forest Plan Revision. The last Forest Plan was completed in 1984 so it has been nearly 25 years since the forest has revised its most important guiding document. Typically revisions occur every 10 to 15 years. The Forest Plan Revision will set land management direction for one of the most heavily recreated forests in the country and is one of the most biologically diverse - stretching from the Comanche National Grasslands to Mount Elbert (Colorado's Highest Peak). To get involved to learn about how you can attend public meetings and offer your suggestions please visit the Pike San Isabel website or call Barb Masinton at 719-553-1475.
Senate Oversight Hearing Focuses on ORV Management
CMC and a host of state and national partners converged on Washington DC last week to attend the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Oversight Hearing on Off Road Vehicle Management. The hearing room was filled to capacity with attendees standing in the back and spilling out of the door. Senator Salazar attended the first half of the hearing and was quick to point out some of the work Colorado is doing to strengthen enforcement presence on our public lands - specifically HB 1069 which CMC was instrumental in passing. Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Tester (D-MT) were also very engaged in the hearing. CMC and our partners met with nearly every legislator from the Colorado delegation as well as the Chief of the Forest Service to raise awareness about the need for stronger leadership from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management on the issue of unmanaged motorized recreation and the need to secure a quiet backcountry experience for the vast majority of public land users. To read the testimony or watch the entire proceedings please visit the committee website.
New National Recreation Trails Designated
In honor of National Trails Day on June 7th and the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne designated 24 trails in 16 states as new National Recreational Trails. The National Recreational Trails System is the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968. These trails provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and historic resources and improve the quality of life of our communities. Although none of the trails are located in Colorado, new trails may be nominated by citizens every year. You can celebrate and visit the existing National Recreation Trails in Colorado, which are listed at: http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/stateNRT/COnrt.html
Spotlight on Wilderness
Dominguez-Escalante Wilderness Legislation Introduced
On May 22nd, Senator Ken Salazar and Representative John Salazar introduced The Dominguez-Escalante legislation into the Senate and House (S. 3065 and H.R. 6162). The bill will create a 200,000 acre National Conservation Area (NCA) to be managed for a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The Dominguez Canyons Wilderness, a gorgeous red-walled canyon system which supports a variety of wildlife, serves as a major tributary of the Gunnison River, and offers opportunities for over 30 miles of exploration along winding canyon bottoms, will be located within the NCA.
If you would like to encourage Senator Wayne Allard to lend his important support to the legislation, you can submit a letter electronically. Please help thank Senator Allard for his leadership and for engaging key parties in negotiations over the details in the Dominguez-Escalante legislation. For more information, please visit Colorado's Canyon Country Wilderness Proposal web site.
Come hiking in the Hidden Gems Proposed Wilderness Areas!
The Colorado Mountain Club and conservation partners are offering a series of summer hikes into the White River National Forest, where we are working to secure wilderness designation for landscapes across the forest, known collectively as the Hidden Gems Proposed Wilderness Areas. Hikes and other fun trips to get to know these areas are being offered on weekdays and weekends throughout the summer. Please go to www.whiteriverwild.org for information on our Hidden Gems Campaign, as well as details on each of the hikes being offered. You may also contact Anya at 303-996-2754 or anyabyers@cmc.org for information about the hikes.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date for the Colorado Conservation Summit!!!
To be held October 6th, 7th, and 8th in Keystone, Colorado. Over 50 organizations from across the state have signed on to participate in a statewide summit geared toward identifying the lasting strategies, partnerships, and policies that will sustain Colorado's natural resources for future generations. And you are invited!! Please save this date and plan to attend the conference which hopes to attract hundreds of citizens, professionals, and academics from all walks of life. Please check CMC's Website for the agenda, speakers, and other event details as they become available.
Volunteer Projects
Thanks to everyone who helped with the CMC’s great stewardship project in Browns Park with the Bureau of Land Management over Memorial Day weekend! Participating in trail maintenance projects gives us a stake in protecting the condition of the landscape, where we enjoy our hikes and other outings. With federal agency recreation budgets in a strong decline in recent years, this kind of volunteer effort is essential to keep our members on the trail.
More opportunities to volunteer abound! In addition to the CMC, here are some of the many organizations offering volunteer projects around the state this summer:
American Hiking Society (National)
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (Golden CO)
Colorado Trail Foundation (Golden, CO)
Continental Divide Trail Alliance (Pine, CO)
Friends of Dillon Ranger District (Silverthorne, CO)
Friends of Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wildernesses (Evergreen, CO)
Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness (Frisco, CO)
Friends of the Peak (Colorado Springs, CO)
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (Basalt, CO)
Rocky Mountain Field Institute (Colorado Springs, CO)
San Juan Mountains Association (Durango, CO)
Seniors Outdoors (Durango, CO)
Tamarisk Coalition (Grand Junction, CO)
Trails 2000 (Durango, CO)
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (Denver, CO)
Wilderness Volunteers (National)
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (Boulder, CO)
Do Your Part for Colorado Conservation: Donate Online
Please help The Colorado Mountain Club by providing critical support to protect Colorado’s wild places. You can now securely donate online with your credit card. Consider our electronic funds transfer (EFT) option and give a little or a lot each month, or just give a one-time gift. Every bit helps. Of course, you will also receive a tax deduction as the CMC is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Call Doug at 303-996-2752 if you need assistance or have any questions.
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