The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently discussed the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (S.2721).  The proposed legislation, a result of over 15 years of local community collaboration, includes important protections for the headwaters of the San Miguel, the Uncompahgre and the Animas watersheds. It also includes protections for some of the state’s most iconic peaks including Mount Sneffels and Wilson Peak. 

Working to protect the headwaters of the San Miguel, Uncompahgre, and Animas watersheds, the Act will directly protect 2.5 miles of Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat, and 17 total river miles. Fish and wildlife in the area would benefit from the proposed designation, and migration corridors for elk, deer, and rocky mountain bighorn sheep would be prioritized and protected. Some of the best hunting and fishing in the state would be conserved for future generations because of this bill.

You can read the full letter submitted to the Senate ENS Committee on behalf of the TU Sportsman's Conservation Project here.

Learn more about the proposed wilderness here.