government

Celebrating the passing of the CORE Act through U.S. House of Representatives

Excerpt from the Real Vail article.

Today, Trout Unlimited celebrates the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy Act (CORE Act) passing through the U.S. House of Representatives and moving on to the U.S. Senate. This important legislation conserves more than 400,000 acres of public lands in the Centennial State, along with fish, wildlife and the traditional sportsmen’s values of Colorado’s Western Slope. 

 “Hunters and anglers across the state applaud the members of the House for passing this important legislation protecting our public lands and the vital fish and wildlife habitat they provide here in Colorado,” said Scott Willoughby, Colorado public lands coordinator for Trout Unlimited. “The CORE Act balances public access to fishing, hunting, and recreation in these special places with protection of pristine headwaters that support native trout populations. Following today’s vote, we look forward to working with the Colorado delegation to move this bill forward in the Senate.” 

The four components of the CORE Act provide protection and improved access to public lands in western Colorado. It expands wilderness designations in the San Juan Mountains, increases fishing access and streamlines management of the Curecanti National Recreation Area and permanently protects the Thompson Divide from inappropriate oil and gas development. Lastly, it also establishes special management areas along the Continental Divide, including a first-of-its-kind National Historic Landscape honoring Colorado’s military legacy at Camp Hale where the 10th Mountain Division trained for winter combat in World War II. 

Trout Unlimited members have long advocated for protection for these unique landscapes, including the Thompson Divide, where nearly half of the CORE Act’s protected lands provide a largely roadless refuge for numerous economically and ecologically important wildlife species, including native trout and large populations of elk and mule deer that require room to roam. 

 “Preserving wildlife connectivity and protecting our waters and lands is of utmost importance to sportsmen living in Colorado as well as those who travel here to take advantage of what these special areas offer,” Willoughby said. “Economic impacts from sportsmen are a big driver in Colorado, so ensuring more access and opportunities is critical to maintaining our recreation economy and the license revenue required by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for fish and wildlife management.” 

A map of lands affected by the CORE Act in Colorado. (Handout from U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet)

A map of lands affected by the CORE Act in Colorado. (Handout from U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet)

Among the benefits of the CORE Act, the Curecanti Boundary Establishment Act promises to restore an additional 11.5 miles of public fishing access in the Gunnison River Basin due to an as-yet unfulfilled mitigation obligation from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dating back to the creation of Blue Mesa Reservoir and the surrounding Aspinall Unit in the late 1960s. Additionally, the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act will benefit the San Miguel, Uncompahgre, and Animas watersheds, protecting 2.5 miles of Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat, which currently occupy less than 10 percent of their historic range. 

“TU deeply appreciates Representative Neguse’s efforts and the strong support of Chairman Grijalva for enabling its passage, said Willoughby. “It is a true testament to Colorado’s commitment to investing in our treasured public lands and outdoor recreation economy.” 

Read More: https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/house-passes-core-act-which-protects-thompson-divide/article_d3632ad2-fc07-11e9-90e4-cffdd277f613.html





Colorado Trout Unlimited Applauds Progress to Save LWCF

Senate passes bill to restore the Land and Water Conservation Fund and protect special places

(Feb. 12, 2019) Denver, CO. – The United States Senate has voted to advance S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. Importantly, the bipartisan legislation permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has been expired since September 30. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives where supporters are urging quick passage.

 

“Even when this hugely successful program was falling victim to Washington’s partisan dysfunction, Senators Bennet and Gardner never stopped working to secure its passage. We deeply appreciate their unflagging commitment to investing in Colorado’s public lands and outdoor recreation,” said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited.  

 

Gunnison Gorge, CO Picture from: Unsplash.com

Gunnison Gorge, CO Picture from: Unsplash.com

For over half a century, LWCF has used a portion of federal offshore energy revenues — at no cost to taxpayers — to conserve our lands, water, and open spaces and protect the outdoor recreation opportunities they offer. LWCF has invested over $268 million in Colorado, helping to secure access and conserve special places, across the state, including the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and boat launches on the Colorado River.

 

“We still need to fully fund LWCF and we’ll continue working toward that end, but permanent authorization is an enormous accomplishment for all who have working tirelessly on this issue,” said Scott Willoughby, Colorado Field Coordinator for Trout Unlimited. “In addition to LWCF, there are dozens of bipartisan provisions across the country that will help sustain our public land heritage, including new Wilderness areas, Wild and Scenic River sections and National Conservation Areas. This is one of the most important pieces of public lands legislation in recent memory and we urge the House of Representatives to quickly pass this bill.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

Feb. 12, 2019

Contacts: 

David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited 

303-440-2937 x1 dnickum@tu.org

 

Scott Willoughby, Trout Unlimited

970-390-3676 swilloughby@tu.org  


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Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and TwitterInstagram and our blog for all the latest information on trout and salmon conservation.