Press Release: New Conservation Area Dedicated
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009
CONTACTS:
Megan Castle, 303.866.6386, megan.castle@state.co.us
Theo Stein, 303.866.3311 x 8665, theo.stein@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER APPLAUDS ADDITION OF DOMINGUEZ-ESCALANTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA
Gov. Bill Ritter praised this morning's dedication of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area in the Uncompahgre Plateau, south of Grand Junction, by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
"The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is a magnificent addition to our country's public lands system and a prime Colorado example of how to balance conservation and traditional uses."
The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness area, the 66,000-acre heart of the national conservation area, is renowned for its cliffs, vistas and its cultural significance for the Ute people. It is as starkly beautiful as any Colorado desert landscape.
The 140,000 acres surrounding it will continue to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management for the benefit of the public while allowing grazing and protecting private property rights.
"It's fitting that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who brought a pragmatic Western problem-solving attitude when he represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate, is here to dedicate this wonderful conservation achievement. I applaud all those whose contributions, large and small, helped bring us to this day."