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Browns Canyon Public Meeting

Senator Mark Udall has unveiled his proposal to create Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Area. Trout Unlimited along with the Colorado Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and other partner groups, are proud to support his bill and we need your help. This proposal will create jobs, maintain existing uses, and most importantly protect this spectacular area for river recreationists, sportsmen, anglers and future generations.  What are key elements of this proposal which would cover 22,000 acres between Salida and Buena Vista — the most popular rafting destination in the country as well as an outstanding Brown trout fishery?

  • Maintain adequate access for hunting and fishing.  The bill maintains motorized use in exactly the same configuration as it is now. 
  • Protect our Brown trout. There are no headgates or ditches in the proposed national monument. The bill makes no changes to water rights.
  • Maintain the integrity of the backcountry habitat for big game.  Hunting and fishing are allowed in both wilderness and national monuments managed by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service. Sen. Udall is committed to maintaining these important uses of our public lands and his proposed legislation does just that. 
  • Continued access for private anglers and boaters.  Visitor access will continue exactly as it does now; most users will experience the new Browns Canyon National Monument by floating the Arkansas River. 
  • Keep commercial river outfitters as a key part of the economy.  River use and quotas will continue as they do now and be managed by the AHRA. The plan is coordinated by the AHRA, which is a partnership between the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. 

Event Details

What:
Browns Canyon Public Meeting
When:
Saturday, April 13
10am – 12pm
Where:  
Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Company
23910 U.S. Highway 285
Nathrop, CO

 

For more information or to find out other ways to support this effort, please contact Garrett VeneKlasen with Trout Unlimited (505) 670-2925 or gveneklasen@tu.org.

 

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