Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Receives Unanimous Support in Committee, Heads to Senate Floor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved S.3065, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Wilderness Act. The bill, which would help better manage and protect the rugged canyonlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau on Colorado’s Western Slope, will now go to the full Senate for consideration..

“The Dominguez-Escalante area is one of the Western Slope’s most treasured landscapes and is a great draw for recreationists, anglers, and hunters,” said Sen. Salazar. “This bill is the product of two years of work by local communities and stakeholders to protect these lands for generations to come, while preserving water rights and the traditional uses of these lands. I am pleased to work with Senator Allard on this Colorado priority. I also appreciate the bipartisan support of my colleagues on the Energy Committee for this bill, and am hopeful that we can get it to the President’s desk yet this year.”

“I appreciate the efforts of Senator Salazar and look forward to continuing my work with him to make sure that this amazing area is protected for future generations,” said Sen. Allard. “This legislation enjoys broad based local support from elected officials, sportsmen’s groups and the conservation community.”

The proposed NCA would include approximately 210,677 acres of federally-owned land on the Uncompahgre Plateau, of which approximately 66,255 acres would be designated as the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area.

The bill allows continued grazing within the NCA and the Wilderness, protects private property rights, withdraws the land from mineral leasing (subject to valid existing rights), and allows for continued invasive species control and fire prevention activities. The bill also incorporates consensus water language drafted in collaboration with the Colorado River Water Conservation District, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and the Colorado Wilderness Network that protects existing water rights and strikes an important balance between traditional water uses and wilderness interests.

Click here to see a map of the proposed NCA.

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