Udall: Wilderness is a ‘great economic engine’

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Eagles Nest Wilderness, Summit County, Colorado. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.

Local meeting set to take input on latest wilderness plan

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Local residents will have a chance to weigh in and ask questions about the latest version of a plan to add big chunks of new wilderness in Summit County this week, when members of Sen.Mark Udall’s staff  hold office hours in Breckenridge (3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Colorado Mountain College).

The session is aimed at connecting constituents with staffers who can answer questions, show constituents draft maps of the proposed areas, and start gathering public comment on the plans for the Central Mountains wilderness (Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties) and the Arkansas River Canyon and Browns Canyon (Chaffee County).  The public is invited to attend these office hours.

The wilderness plan started out as a citizen-driven initiative, as volunteers worked to identify areas that may meet wilderness standards. It became the Hidden Gems proposal, then later was modified slightly and shaped into a legislative proposal by Congressman Jared Polis. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, Environment, Hidden Gems wilderness, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Access Fund supports Colorado wilderness proposals

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Group says wilderness peaks an important part of climbing culture

A climbing access group says proposed new wilderness in Colorado would protect backcountry climbing areas.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Despite a few debates here and there on the ethics of bolting, climbers in general have always taken a progressive stance on land conservation, and the Access Fund this week continued that tradition by announcing its support for two pending Colorado wilderness proposals in the San Juans and on public federal lands in Summit and Eagle counties.

“The Access Fund is happy to join with recreation and conservation groups across the state to support these public land conservation initiatives that preserve backcountry climbing and recreation opportunities,” said Access Fund executive director Brady Robinson. “We support all types of climbing experiences, from the remote wilderness peaks to urban crags and bouldering areas. The opportunity to climb in protected wilderness areas is a key value that many climbers cherish. We hope our Colorado membership will contact their federal legislators in support of these proposals.” (more…)

Filed under: Environment, recreation, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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