Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

Snow flurries began to whirl out of a steel-gray sky, and temperatures plummeted. But the crowd of hunters and anglers gathered on the steps of the state Capitol in Denver was just getting warmed up. "Hands off our public lands!" a speaker shouted. The group roared its approval.

On February 25, members from Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the National Wildlife Federation, and other sportsmen groups turned out to turn up the heat on Colorado lawmakers who might be thinking about introducing legislation to transfer to state control public lands like National Forests and BLM lands.

The groups' message, delivered despite cold and snow: Not on our watch.

"Our public lands are not for sale!" said Kent Ingram of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, one of several speakers who spoke from the heart about what public lands mean to America's sportsmen. These special places "one of the defining qualities of Colorado's quality of life," he said.

Coloradans agree. A bipartisan poll by Colorado College found that more than 80 percent of Coloradans cited the ability to be near and recreate on public lands as a significant factor for living in the West, with 72 percent saying that public lands belong to all Americans, not individual states.

Kirk Deeter, longtime columnist for Field and Stream and editor of TU's Trout magazine, brought it all home. He noted that he travels all over the world to fish and hunt, but he chooses to live in Colorado and always returns here because of its magnificent public lands and access to outdoors opportunity.

He said that proposals to strip Americans of that birthright and heritage are "unAmerican" and won't be tolerated by sportsmen.

"We're going to fight," said Deeter.

Deeter's passion was clearly shared by the crowd. "These public lands are our birthright, they're our heritage, and they're shared and owned by all Americans," TU's Ty Churchwell told the Durango Herald.

This latest rally for public lands (other recent rallies in New Mexico and Idaho have brought out hundreds of sportsmen) sends a strong, clear message that hunters and anglers won't sit by quietly while our public lands are degraded or sold to the highest bidder.

Anti-public lands lawmakers, take note.

President Obama Steps Up for Browns Canyon!!

Trout Unlimited praises creation of Browns Canyon National Monument Calls monument designation ‘historic victory’ for Colorado conservation

SALIDA (Feb. 18)—Trout Unlimited today praised President Obama’s designation of Browns Canyon as a new national monument, the culmination of years of effort to protect a Colorado backcountry treasure beloved by generations of anglers, hunters, rafters, and other recreational users.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet recently asked President Obama to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to establish the 22,000-acre Browns Canyon National Monument, after legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Udall stalled in Congress despite broad local support.

Trout Unlimited leaders called the monument action a “historic victory” for public lands conservation.

“TU members are proud to have played a leading role in protecting this Colorado crown jewel and preserving fishing and hunting opportunity for future generations,” said Chris Wood, CEO and president of Trout Unlimited. “This is a big bipartisan win for our outdoors heritage, and it sends a strong and clear message that hunters and anglers want to keep our public lands public.”

“I’m thrilled,” said Jim Impara, vice president of the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Salida. “Browns Canyon is one of those special places that draws rafters, hunters and anglers from all over the world. This action ensures that Browns’ wildness and rare beauty will be there for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

For years, sportsmen’s groups have been pushing for monument status for Browns Canyon, which includes prime backcountry habitat for mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep as well as miles of outstanding Gold Medal wild trout waters in the Arkansas River.

TU and other sportsmen’s groups, including the National Wildlife Federation and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, organized local anglers and hunters to voice their support and attend numerous local meetings and public forums. The groups cited Brown’s important fish and wildlife habitat, as well as its role as an economic driver for Colorado’s $1.2 billion fishing economy and $500 million hunting economy. Browns Canyon is also the single largest contributor to Colorado’s $140 million whitewater rafting industry.

“Sportsmen helped deliver this victory for Browns,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “Our local roots and deep knowledge of this place carried weight with lawmakers and federal officials. Hunters and anglers understand the value of our public lands and wild backcountry, and we’re committed to protecting these magnificent resources and our outdoor way of life.”

He added, “We especially thank Sen. Udall for his dedication and persistence in pushing for a Browns Canyon monument. He has been a valued voice for sportsmen and for commonsense conservation.”

For more information about Browns, go to www.sportsmenforbrowns.com.

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Additional resources for media:

High-res images of the Browns Canyon, available for download at Trout Unlimited Photoshelter site.

(Credit copyright holder if photo downloaded for use. If prompted for password, use “Browns Canyon”)

Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization with 147,000 members nationwide dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Colorado Trout Unlimited has 24 chapters and more than 10,000 members in the state. 

Trout Unlimited in Press Release from USFS

Date: Feb 23, 2015 Contact: Reid Armstrong, 970-222-7607

Forest Service, Trout Unlimited partner to restore flood-damaged Lower Creek

BOULDER, Colo. – The U.S. Forest Service and Trout Unlimited are partnering to stabilize and restore a half-mile section of flood-damaged stream in the Lefthand trails area on the Roosevelt National Forest northwest of Boulder. The popular trails system has been closed since September 2013 when a historic flood event washed out access roads and primary trails, saturated hillsides and permanently altered stream courses. Lower Creek, an intermittent tributary of Left Hand Creek located near the entrance to the trails area, was severely scoured along the final half-mile stretch above its confluence. The creek bed alignment now runs through the bottom of a former road bed. Ongoing erosion and sedimentation issues along this stretch of Lower Creek are of real concern to the health of the watershed, according to Boulder District Ranger, Sylvia Clark. The scouring of banks and movement of topsoil unearthed debris and trash left along the stream banks from a long history of recreational activities in the area. “While this project addresses less than two acres in a much larger landscape of flood damage, it’s a very important half mile stretch of stream,” Clark said. “Stabilizing this area will help prevent sedimentation issues downstream and will be an important first step in getting this area reopened to the public.”

Through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited is beginning the task of hiring a specialized contractor to collect data in the Lower Creek area. The contractor will make recommendations on how to stabilize the stream to prevent further erosion and sedimentation, and will recommend the best course of action for addressing any contamination from the human debris and trash in the area. The overall focus of this work will be restoring the half-mile section of Lower Creek.

Trout Unlimited’s project manager Elizabeth Russell said, “We are excited about expanding our reach and doing a restoration project in a new watershed.  We appreciate our great partnership with the Forest Service and look forward to working together on this project.”

The U.S. Forest Service will evaluate the recommendations and, depending on funding, implementation could occur as soon as fall 2015.

K. “Reid” Armstrong Public Affairs Specialist/Community Liaison Boulder and Clear Creek districts Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland p: 303-541-2532 c: 970-222-7607 krarmstrong@fs.fed.us

2140 Yarmouth Ave Boulder CO 80301 www.fs.usda.gov/arp

Victory on Hermosa!

In late December,  a bill to permanently protect the Hermosa Creek watershed—a major Trout Unlimited focus area for conservation—received  final approval in the U.S. Senate and proceeded on to President Obama for his signature. It was a great day for our local Durango community, for Colorado and for America’s backcountry fanatics.

The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, along with a handful of other public land bills, was attached as riders to the National Defense Authorization Act – a “must pass” piece of legislation.  As a result, Congress finally got this important piece of legislation across the finish line.

Native cutthroat trout in southwest Colorado now have a protected home in America’s newest wilderness area!

We are grateful for Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Scott Tipton and staff, for helping bring the Durango community together and working hard to get this done.

The passage of the bill represents eight years of work by TU staff from the Sportsmen’s Conservation Project and Colorado Water Project, and volunteers from the Five Rivers Chapter in Durango, CO.  The effort has truly been a “One TU” success.  But it was not just TU members who fought to protect the Hermosa Creek area for the next generation.  Anglers were joined by sportsmen from the region, and across the country, in a coalition aptly named “Sportsmen for Hermosa.”  From the local fly shops to rod manufacturers, from sportsmen’s conservation groups to outfitters, sportsmen stood up unified in support of permanent protections for Hermosa Creek.  And Congress heard our voices loud and clear!

The Hermosa Creek watershed, just north of Durango, contains Colorado’s largest, unprotected roadless area and is treasured by hunters and anglers for its opportunity and ease of access.  For fly fishermen and women, Hermosa Creek is the go-to location in southwest Colorado to cast summer dry flies to pure Colorado River cutthroat trout, brookies and rainbows.  For fall big game hunters, Hermosa’s elk beckon with bugles that raise the hair on your neck with excitement and anticipation.  Deer, turkey and grouse round out the quarry.  Sportsmen were joined in the effort to protect Hermosa Creek by mountain bikers, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, backpackers, photographers, horsemen, water concerns, grazers, ranchers and citizens of the region.

It was a bumpy road along the way.  In September, the bill received a mark-up in the House of Representatives.  To the surprise of everyone back in Colorado, the bill was substantially amended by the House subcommittee.  Though it was watered-down and failed to provide the “teeth” of conservation we desired, it passed.  Whereas the bill once enjoyed complete and uncontested support, there now was significant opposition, including from TU and sportsmen.

Thankfully, the utter disappointment of the House mark-up and amendments brought about change.  Locals made it clear the bill was not OK and needed to return to the original version.  In mid-November a deal was struck between the Senate and House subcommittees.  The amended bill now was much, much closer to the original version and regained the support of locals back home.  In late November the bill received a full House vote (via the defense bill) and passed 300-119.

It’s notable, too, to mention four other TU-led initiatives passed alongside Hermosa and were signed into law.  They include the Columbine-Hondo wilderness in New Mexico and the Pine Forest Range in Nevada.  We share this victory with our brethren in nearby states.

With that, we raise our glasses in celebration.  To pass a public lands protection bill, with a wilderness component, is an astronomical feat in today’s tough and highly partisan political climate.  But sportsmen stood strong, made their voices heard, and were persistent and patient—and now 107,000 acres of public land perfectness will remain unspoiled and productive for the next generation of America’s sportsmen, women and children.

---Ty Churchwell, Backcountry Coordinator, Sportsmen's Conservation Project tchurchwell@tu.org

Clear Creek County Commissioner Speaks for Clean Water

Clear Creek County Commissioner Tim Mauck testified today before a joint hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in support of a proposed federal rule that would restore protections to headwater streams under the Clean Water Act. The so-called Waters of the United States rule, put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, is in draft form, and has received support in the form of public comment from about 800,000 Americans. It was crafted in response to a pair of Supreme Court rulings in the early and mid-2000s that removed longstanding Clean Water Act protections from “intermittent and ephemeral” headwater streams unless they were shown to have a “significant nexus” with the larger rivers and streams into which they flow. The EPA and the Corps have since proven a scientific nexus between America’s great rivers and their headwater streams--hence the draft rule.

Despite the overwhelming public support for the rule, many in Congress see the rule as “overreach,” and efforts are afoot to derail the established rule-making process and prohibit the EPA from restoring protections to headwater streams under the Clean Water Act.

“As an elected county commissioner, I am testifying to convey how important clean water is for my community,” Mauck told the members of the committees today. “The proposed clean water rule will protect the headwaters, tributaries and wetlands that are essential for providing the high-quality water that supports the hunting, fishing, rafting and outdoor recreation that are an economic backbone for my community. Clean water from streams and wetlands also provide drinking water for thousands of our residents.”

Commissioner Mauck is also an avid sportsman and a member of Trout Unlimited.  Thank you, Commissioner, for speaking out in support of Colorado's headwater streams!

CTU, Bill Barrett Corp. tout Roan as model for balance in energy

Last November, Colorado TU and other conservationists reached a settlement with the Bureau of Land Management and with energy leaseholders including Bill Barrett Corp. for the Roan Plateau. The settlement has resulted in leases being cancelled and refunded for the majority of habitat atop the Roan, while moving forward a process to allow responsible development of other leases in the area. Colorado TU's David Nickum and Bill Barrett's Duane Zavadil recently joined in writing an op-ed piece highlighting the Roan settlement as an example of how a more balanced energy strategy can be achieved through thoughtful engagement that respects the importance of both public lands for fish, wildlife and recreation, and the need to develop domestic energy supplies.  Their piece was carried in the Washington, DC based publication, The Hill - you can read it here.  The op-ed has also run online with the Denver Post and in print with the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

While the Roan settlement is an important step forward, it is still vital that BLM follow through as it revises its leasing plan for the Roan to adopt the "settlement alternative" that has been proposed.  You can weigh in with BLM by signing our online petition for the Roan.

Colorado TU Gala: March 13, 2015

Reserve your seats for the Colorado TU River Stewardship Gala on Friday, March 13, and join us for an evening celebrating Colorado's rivers and helping raise funds for their conservation.  This year we will be honoring Richard Adkerson of Freeport-McMoRan with our River Stewardship Award, in recognition of his leadership and support in restoring streams impacted by abandoned mines.  The evening also features a wide-ranging live and silent auction, with trips and items for the angler and non-angler alike. Tickets to the Gala include admission, dinner, and complimentary beer and wine, and can be purchased online for $100 - table sponsorships (with reserved seating for 10) are also available for $1000.

The Gala will again take place at the Arvada Center, conveniently located by 68th and Wadsworth in Arvada, with ample free parking available on-site.

The Gala will feature an outstanding auction with diverse fishing and nonfishing experiences including a one-week trip for trophy brook trout in Labrador, a five day horsepack trip in the Yellowstone backcountry, a week-long Alaska fishing lodge experience, a five-day five-hunter package for wing shooting in Argentina, a one-week photo safari in South Africa and more!  Check out our Auction Sampler to see some of the great items that you can bid on.  Of course, along with our larger packages we'll also have a wide array of other items including regional fishing trips, performing arts tickets, ski packages, and more.

Make your plans to join us for an evening to remember on March 13!  Click here to reserve your tickets.

About Richard Adkerson and Freeport-McMoRan:

Richard Adkerson is the President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of Freeport-McMoRan Inc.  Under his leadership, the company has invested generously in restoration efforts aimed at healing rivers impacted by the west's legacy of abandoned mines - sites where no responsible party remains to clean up waters being impacted by mine tailings and drainage.  Among other projects, Freeport-McMoRan has helped TU, the Bureau of Land Management and other partners to advance an award-winning restoration partnership on Kerber Creek in Colorado's San Luis Valley - where a wild brook trout fishery again thrives in waters that were once too polluted to support self-sustaining fisheries.

Former Congressman Hefley calls for Browns Canyon protection

Former US Congressman Joel Hefley (R-Colorado Springs) added his voice to those of sportsmen, local governments, business owners, Governor Hickenlooper and Senator Bennet, and Chaffee County citizens in supporting protection for Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River.  He authored an op-ed piece in the Denver Post that calls on the President and the Colorado Congressional delegation to move forward with protection for Browns. Browns Canyon is one of Colorado's natural treasures, with a Gold Medal reach of the Arkansas River as its centerpiece, outstanding big game habitat in the uplands, and world-class rafting opportunities that have made it one of America's most popular whitewater destinations.

In 2006, Congressman Hefley led a bipartisan effort to secure protections for the Browns Canyon area.  In 2013-14, Senator Mark Udall sponsored legislation for Browns that would both establish a National Monument and designated some additional wilderness.  Unfortunately, both efforts were caught up in Congressional gridlock and fell short.

As part of Sportsmen for Browns Canyon, TU has been working steadily to support National Monument protection for Browns; you can help by lending your voice through our action alert here - asking the President to give Browns the National Monument Protection it so richly deserves.

Chase Moore, Youth Education Coordinator, Colorado Trout Unlimited

Chase is excited to bring his leadership skills and background in environmental education to strengthen CTU’s youth education programs throughout the state.  While bicycle touring and backpacking have been Chase’s passion and means to explore the Pacific Northwest, Southwest deserts, and the great state of Colorado, he always watched anglers gracefully dot the stream banks along many of his adventures.  Curiosity and the necessity to see what the fuss was about led Chase to give fly fishing a chance via a Tenkara rod.  Simply put, he was hooked. Chase is now joining CTU to help youth across the state understand the importance of a healthy watershed, not just from an angling standpoint, but from a resource management perspective.  Not only trout but wildlife and people need access to clean, fresh, viable water.  Chase has been on the front lines helping people of all ages learn about their natural world and watershed, leading conservation projects and residential science camps in the Pacific Northwest, working on riparian restoration projects in central Oregon, and teaching environmental science in the Rocky Mountains. Most recently he worked with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies – connecting kids with the great outdoors right in the heart of the famed Roaring Fork watershed.

A colleague and friend once pondered what makes Chase a great teacher and said “It has to do, I think, with making teaching a craft rather than a formula.”  Needless to say, Chase is looking forward to applying his craft – and more importantly getting young people excited about their waterways.  Who knows, maybe there will be more young anglers enjoying our streams as they learn to take a moment and slow down.  Chase and his saddle are glad he did, and are even more thankful to join the family at Colorado Trout Unlimited.

CTU Thanks Elected Officials for Supporting Balance on Roan

In November, Colorado TU and other conservation partners joined oil and gas companies and the Bureau of Land Management to announce a major settlement of the long-standing litigation over oil and gas development on and around the Roan Plateau in northwest Colorado. The deal strikes a true balance for protecting fish, wildlife, and wilderness lands and allowing responsible energy development.  At its core is an agreement to keep drilling off areas that, as Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell put it, are "too special to develop" - including native cutthroat watersheds atop the Roan - while allowing more timely movement to develop other areas that are less sensitive but can help meet our nation's future energy needs.

Reaching an agreement required outside of the box thinking - and that doesn't happen without political will and support from key elected officials and governmental leaders.  That's why CTU has taken out an ad in the 12/21 Grand Junction Daily Sentinel to thank some of the key governmental leaders whose support and hard work made the Roan agreement possible - Congressman Scott Tipton, Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, Governor John Hickenlooper, and BLM Director Neil Kornze.  You can see a higher-resolution PDF version of the ad here, and read more about the Roan agreement here.

Not only is the agreement good news for the Roan as one of Colorado's best wild places, it can be a model for future efforts in other regions of the state.  The  BLM has tools, notably their master leasing plan process, that can allow for early dialogue among diverse interests to better understand the key resources at stake - and to use that dialogue to find balanced solutions that protect important watersheds from disturbance while enabling leasing and development to proceed responsibly in other appropriate sites.  Looking at that broader landscape level makes it easier to find those balance points, respecting the importance of both energy development and fish and wildlife conservation. CTU hopes to continue working with BLM, industry, and conservation partners to make master leasing plans successful in other key areas for Colorado sportsmen, including North Park and South Park.