Congress designated the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness in 1976.
The 112th Congress has been the most anti-wilderness Congress in history, blocking nearly two dozen wilderness bills from getting to the House floor. If the U.S. House of Representatives stays on its current course, it will be the first Congress since 1966 that fails to create a single acre of wilderness!
The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act is a good example of how federally-designated wilderness can permanently protect water resources. Introduced by Senator Bennet and cosponsored by Senator Udall, this legislation would protect more than 100,000 acres of incredible wildlife habitat and a recreation haven for hikers, mountain bikers and sportsmen. It would also conserve 37,000 acres of the Hermosa Creek Watershed as wilderness, protecting a tributary to the Animas, which provides thousands of Coloradans and New Mexicans with clean drinking water.
These wilderness bills have support on the ground and in Congress. They have been crafted and supported by local communities and have made their way to Congress, only to hit a brick wall. If Congress fails to act, it will go down in history as the most anti-wilderness Congress ever.
Congress must act before the end of the year or these bills go back to the drawing board. Wilderness is valued deeply by the American people, and provides important opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.The Conservation Center and over 60 conservation groups from across the country send the following letter to Congress asking them to take action in the final days of the 112th Congress to protect the places where our grandchildren will go to hike, camp, paddle, fish, and hunt.
Please contact your Congressional Representative and U.S. Senators and ask them to help pass wilderness bills this year!
SEND MESSAGE TO SENATOR BENNET & SENATOR UDALL
Send Senator Bennet a message here.
Send Senator Udall a message here.
Subject Line
Don’t let the 112th Congress end without protecting wilderness!
Message Content
Since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, every Congress except one has protected wilderness. For decades, representatives and senators have worked together and listened to the American people to protect our nation’s wild legacy.
However, the 112th Congress is threatening to become the first Congress since 1966 to not protect a single acre of wilderness.
Currently, dozens of bills awaiting passage in Congress have hit a brick wall in the House of Representatives. From Washington to Maine, these bills have bipartisan support back home and in Congress. These bills reflect years of stakeholder input and compromise, and would provide important benefits to local communities.
It is time for Congress to come together and protect our great outdoors. Our nation has a proud bi-partisan tradition of working together to protect our wild lands and I urge you to work with your colleagues to build on this American legacy. Do not let this Congress be the first in nearly 50 years to not protect a single acre of American wilderness.Categories:
News, Public Lands