Mesa and Montrose counties in western Colorado released a draft plan to protect the biodiverse ecosystem surrounding the Dolores River
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Counties offer Dolores proposal far smaller than monument plan
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Friday, July 26, 2024
Proposed Dolores River Canyons National Monument, Bob Wick/BLM ([link removed])
Mesa and Montrose counties in western Colorado released a draft plan ([link removed]) to protect the biodiverse ecosystem surrounding the Dolores River, but conservation advocates say the plan is inadequate compared to a national monument proposal ([link removed]) . The counties are proposing a 30,000-acre National Conservation Area (NCA), which protects just seven percent ([link removed]) of the area outlined in the 400,000-acre national monument proposal and omits critical wildlife habitat and Indigenous cultural sites.
“I’m glad Mesa and Montrose counties are coming to the table and acknowledging that the Dolores needs permanent protections,” said Scott Braden ([link removed]) , director of the Colorado Wildlands Project. “But I’m pretty disappointed that their NCA proposal falls short of protecting the things that make the Dolores River canyon country so special.”
After hosting local listening sessions, Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper recently stated that they support increased federal protections ([link removed]) for the area, though they did not specify which form that protection should take.
County officials are now collecting public comments ([link removed]) on their proposal, and they’re unlikely to get positive feedback from either supporters or opponents of the monument proposal. Monument opponents believe an NCA is unnecessary ([link removed]) , while supporters believe the proposed NCA is “grossly inadequate ([link removed]) ” to protect the area.
** Quick hits
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Colorado counties issue limited Dolores River proposal
CPR News ([link removed]) | Montrose Press ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | KKCO ([link removed]) | Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
Grabbing public land in the name of housing
High Country News ([link removed])
The US nuclear industry is stuck. Can this startup get it rolling again?
Canary Media ([link removed])
Opinion: Utah’s development plans threaten my Navajo homeland
In These Times ([link removed])
Boulder’s Outdoor Industry Association ends 30-year partnership with Outdoor Retailer trade show
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces voluntary pilot programs for lead-free hunting
Sierra Sun Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ([link removed].) [press release]
The Salton Sea lithium rush
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Opinion: Colorado’s last, best wild places must be protected
Colorado Newsline ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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At every level, from county to state to the federal government, [Navajo] history includes violations of voting rights, education, and civil rights. All had to be litigated in federal court. Through all of that, Utah Navajos have fought to conserve and protect the public lands we traditionally used.”
—Mark Maryboy, former San Juan County Commissioner and delegate to the Navajo Nation Council, In These Times ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@yellowstonenps ([link removed])
(Heads Up!) Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park temporarily closed due to hydrothermal explosion
- On Tuesday, July 23, at about 10:19 a.m., a localized hydrothermal explosion occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful.
- Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.
- No injuries were reported, and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.
- Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.
- No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.
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