HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.141.2010 Resolution No. fill -2010
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A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, SUPPORTING CONGRESSIONAL
WILDERNESS DESIGNATION OF SPECIFIED AREAS IN PITKIN COUNTY,
COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. ty/ -2010
RECITALS
1. Large contiguous tracts of public land within Colorado (as identified in
attached Exhibit "A, ") including sixty two thousand, eight hundred and forty
six (62,846) acres that lie within Pitkin County, are stunning areas worthy of
Congressional Wilderness designation which results in permanent protection
of the natural, scenic, recreational and biological values of federal lands.
Proposed wilderness areas within Pitkin County include:
a. Assignation Ridge (including BLM Thompson Creek) — 13,183 and 6,872
Acres respectively
b. Crystal River — 5,399 Acres
c. Eagle Mountain — 316 Acres
d. Hay Park — 4,853 Acres
e. Hay Park East — 5,126 Acres
f. Hayes Creek — 6,172 Acres
g. Hunter — 2,304 Acres
h. Mormon Creek — 3,883 Acres
i. North Independent A — 4,383 Acres
j. North Independent B — 847 Acres
k. Ruby Lakes — 2,428 Acres
1. Wildcat Mountain A & B — 5,632 Acres
m. Woods Lake — 1,447 Acres
A Special Management Area (SMA) designation is proposed for the two
thousand, three hundred and twelve (2,312) acre area known as the North
Independent Special Management Area and will focus on managing for the
area for its unique rock climbing resource while protecting its natural,
ecological, and scenic values.
2. Pitkin County has a long history of supporting wilderness designations within
our County, including BOCC Resolution #98 -236 and Resolution #2010 -111
in support of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009. This Resolution
reaffirms our support for designation of Wilderness lands in the areas
referenced above and graphically depicted on Exhibit "A."
3. Pitkin County is appreciative of the thorough community vetting process that
Wilderness Workshop has engaged in over the past several years.
Resolution No. /912010
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4. Wilderness lands are highly valued by Pitkin County residents and visitors for
activities such as hunting, grazing, hiking, horseback riding, boating,
camping, fishing, cross - country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and
birdwatching.
5. Wilderness contributes not only to our quality of life but also to our economic
well- being. Pitkin County's economy is strongly supported by tourism, and
wilderness areas are a critical component of the draw to our region.
6. Wilderness offers significant protection of watersheds, clean water and clean
air.
7. Wilderness areas provide critical large tracts of undisturbed contiguous lands
that support wildlife habitat and ecosystems that sustain wildlife health,
migration, and a diversity of species.
8. Many mountain ranches, which support a growing local food movement and
provide the additional benefit of a rural setting and open space appreciated by
the public, are dependent upon federal land grazing permits. The increasing
pressure of mechanized and motorized recreation threatens productivity in
permit areas, where a Wilderness designation may enhance productivity. To
facilitate viable agriculture and the benefits it provides to the public, Pitkin
County calls for a reaffirmation of existing Congressional provisions and
supports the inclusion of committee report language permitting the
continuation of historic uses and access for purposes of operation, repair and
maintenance of structures and facilities used for range management and water
storage and conveyance systems used for grazing. This would include as an
example, historic use of chain saws.
9. Pitkin County supports Wilderness designation that mutually respects water
rights and protects wilderness values.
10. We support a designated Wilderness boundary that ensures protection of
Wilderness values and the protection of public health and welfare from the
harmful effects of wildfire in the wildland /urban interface in locations such as
the North Independent A area identified on Exhibit "A."
11. Pitkin County supports adequate funding for the U.S. Forest Service and the
Bureau of Land Management for management and maintenance of its lands
and facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Pitkin County Colorado that it hereby supports Congressional Wilderness designation of
the areas identified on Exhibit "A."
d`
Resolution No. 7i/ -2010
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INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED ON THE 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER,
2010.
ATT T: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
L /
31,11 By, i AS. '• •••• C
Je• `tte Jones George Newm. , Chair
De. ty Clerk & Recorier
Date: iif i U
APPROVED AS TO FORM: MANAGER APPROVAL:
L eve
John Ely, ; I nt • orney Phylit i attice, Interim County Manager
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