Dec. 08–Browns Canyon is a 22,000acre parcel of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands located in Chaffee County with the Arkansas River at its western boundary and forested areas of Aspen Ridge to the east.
To the northwest is Ruby Mountain, a popular garnet hunting site for gem hunters. At the south entrance to the area is Turret, a former mining town that now sports a small development of off-thegrid mountain homes.
The BLM recommended the area for a wilderness designation in 1991 after studies in the 1980s. In an effort to get a congressional stamp of approval, former U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, a Republican, initially introduced legislation. And in 2008, former U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, renewed the effort.
The draft bill by Udall, a Colorado Democrat, covers 10,500 acres of new wilderness the others did not include. Udall’s proposal also maintains existing uses, including river rafting, hunting and fishing, grazing as well as a use that would be limited under the other proposals — motorized access on all designated roads in the area.
“The Arkansas is the most popular rafting river in the country. I’ve spent many years guiding raft and fishing trips on the Arkansas and spending time in Browns Canyon is a highlight of any trip,” said Bill Dvorak, a longtime rafting outfitter. “Protecting Browns Canyon would maintain an important, sustainable part of the area economy.
“Just as important is protecting air and water quality and wildlife and fish habitat at a time when increasing population and development are creating more demands on public lands,” Dvorak said.
“Colorado Wildlife Federation appreciates Udall’s steadfast approach during the past year for ascertaining and embracing local community views on how to conserve this jewel for future generations,” said Suzanne O’Neil of the Colorado Wildlife Federation.