GORP Act Introduced with Protections for North Fork Watershed, Gunnison Basin Public Lands

In September 2024, Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper introduced the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act in the U.S. Senate. The GORP Act is the product of many years of collaborative work by the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative (GPLI). The Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) has supported protections for nearby public lands considered by GPLI, and worked to secure watershed protections for Delta County, specifically the more recent North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal.

The North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal, included in the GORP Act, covers many Bureau of Land Management (BLM) surface-managed areas within our watershed, including Jumbo Mountain, the Town of Paonia’s source water area, and the vast majority of the valley floor. A legislative withdrawal, unlike an administrative withdrawal or land management plan, would permanently protect the North Fork Valley from the risks of oil and gas development in these areas. Roadless areas on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests would benefit from a No Surface Occupancy limitation, helping to preserve the recreation and wildlife values of Electric Mountain, Elk Park, and Currant Creek.

The North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal is based on the North Fork Community Alternative, which WSCC and local partners have worked on for many years as part of our efforts to protect North Fork Valley farms, businesses, and families from the threat of industrial oil and gas development within our watershed.

While this oil and gas withdrawal does not fully protect the entire North Fork Valley, it provides protection from oil and gas development for significant landscapes in the North Fork Valley. Many of these same watershed areas will be considered in the BLM’s Resource Management Plan amendment for the Uncompahgre Field Office. The GORP Act sends a strong message that our local communities and elected officials oppose the expansion of oil and gas leasing in the North Fork Valley.

The GORP Act also proposes permanent protections for public lands in Gunnison Basin based on recommendations made by the GPLI. These designations are intended to fit the specific management needs of each area, including Wilderness Areas and a range of Special Management Areas, such as Wildlife Conservation Areas or Recreation Management Areas. Another GORP Act special provision for Delta County would preserve public access to the Gunnison Forks (Pleasure Park) boat ramp, one of the few public boat ramps that serves recreation along the North Fork and Gunnison Rivers.

Upon introduction, WSCC and local partners sent a letter to Senator Bennet supporting the North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal in the GORP Act as well as protections for North Fork watershed areas within Gunnison County, including:

Lamborn Wilderness Addition extends from the current West Elk Wilderness boundary, following the Roadless Area boundary west, to the Gunnison County line.

Erickson Springs Wilderness Addition incorporates the Munsey-Ruby Stock Trail into the Raggeds Wilderness, from the existing Raggeds Wilderness boundary to the Raggeds Trail.

Pilot Knob & Clear Fork Special Management Areas are generally in the upper North Fork watershed north of the town of Somerset and have important roadless and wildlife values.

Beckwiths Special Management Area & Horse Ranch Park Recreation Management Area are in the Kebler Pass area off of the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. They would be managed with an emphasis on conservation and recreation.

Munsey Creek Wildlife Conservation Area provides for the potential development of the Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail while limiting new routes along the Raggeds Trail.

To learn more about the GORP Act you can read WSCC’s GORP page, GORPAct.org, or Senator Bennet’s website.