The fight will be harder, the need greater
Over the last several years, conservation efforts in Western Colorado and the North Fork Valley have made momentous progress. These efforts include the Thompson Divide Administrative Withdrawal, the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, ongoing work on an amendment to the Uncompahgre Resource Management Plan, and the North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal in the recently introduced GORP Act.
As we have for the last 47 years, the Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) is committed to working with our community and elected leaders to protect the public lands, waters, and wildlife we all rely upon. Looking ahead, WSCC will continue to pursue this important work through land management planning, public/private partnerships, and administrative, legal, and legislative processes. At the State and local level we will continue to work with the Governor’s office, the State legislature, local elected officials, and management agencies to protect Colorado lands, our watershed, and wildlife.
Make no mistake though, early indications are that new leadership at the federal level will usher in an anti-conservation agenda that threatens conservation efforts nationally and here in Colorado. The potential implications include cuts to federal funding, removal of the hard won conservation protections we’ve worked so hard to achieve, and politically motivated public lands management decisions. These headwinds will present new challenges, but WSCC has been here before, and we’re committed to using every tool available to protect the progress we’ve made.
Better news at the state level
Though changes at the federal level are likely to present challenges for conservation advocates, the State of Colorado remains committed to protecting and enhancing water resources within the upper Colorado River basin. You may remember that during the previous Trump administration, the United States Supreme Court substantially reduced protections for ephemeral streams and wetlands by changing the definition of Waters Of The United States (WOTUS) within the Clean Water Act. In a rapid response, the state of Colorado pushed back and created Clean Water Policy-17 which reinstated state protection levels for ephemeral streams and wetlands as they were prior to the supreme court’s decision. You may have also noticed that in this election ballot was a measure to improve Colorado’s ability to fund water conservation projects by retaining sports betting tax revenues in excess of $29 million dollars which was approved in 2019. The ballot measure JJ passed by a large majority and lifts the cap on the amount of funding that will go towards Colorado Water Conservation Board’s grant programs.
Looking ahead
We know that it takes dedication, perseverance, and action. We will continue to adapt and respond and keep this community engaged in the important work to protect what we all value here in the North Fork Valley. We couldn’t do it without you. Please consider supporting our work with a donation today.
