Browns Canyon Wilderness

2009-05-22T13:19:00.006-06:00

“If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it."
- President Lyndon B. Johnson, on the signing of the Wilderness Act of 1964

When introducing his bill to protect the Browns Canyon Wilderness, then-Senator Wayne Allard said:

“This area includes some of the most picturesque vistas in Colorado, and my bill would preserve its natural beauty. It is a stunning landscape, with granite canyons stretching along the Arkansas River and merging into mixed forests and meadows.

“In addition, the legislation would improve recreational opportunities within the area, which is one of the most popular rafting spots in Colorado.

“Not only will this bill protect one of Colorado’s great natural treasures, it will bring more tourists to the surrounding area and help the economies of Chaffee and Fremont counties.”

We agree completely. Join us as we work to protect our natural heritage for generations to come.

Quote of the week:
“Because of its unusual rock formations and outcroppings and its wild, untamed and rugged nature, Browns is deserving of full wilderness designation.”

Why Wilderness?

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Wilderness areas help produce clean water by protecting watersheds; provide critical habitat for threatened or endangered species; maintain biological diversity; offer outdoor recreation opportunities; provide scenic beauty; and serve as a spiritual or psychological haven from modern day pressures.

In addition, Browns Canyon "boasts some of Colorado's most pristine forests, great hunting and fishing habitat, and draws outdoor enthusiasts from across Colorado and the country during nearly every season," said then-Senator Ken Salazar.

Wilderness areas are protected from development such as logging roads, dams, or other permanent structures; from timber cutting and the operation of motorized/mechanized vehicles and equipment; and, since 1984, from new mining claims and mineral leasing.

Mining operations and livestock grazing are permitted to continue in Wilderness Areas if these practices existed prior to an Area's designation.

Hunting and fishing are permitted in Wilderness Areas, though hunting and commercial fishing are not allowed in most national park units, or other places specifically closed to these activities.

History & Area Maps

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The proposed Browns Canyon Wilderness was originally presented as 35,000 acres, but it has been scaled back to just over 20,000 acres. The smaller area will be easier to manage and define, with boundaries that generally run alongside existing roads and trails, the Arkansas River, railroad tracks and other readily-recognized features.

When Joel Hefley introduced his Browns Canyon Wilderness legislation, every single member of the Colorado delegation signed on to co-sponsor. This included Tom Tancredo, Marilyn Musgrave, Wayne Allard, Ken Salazar, Mark Udall, John Salazar, and Bob Beauprez.

Maps of the proposed Browns Canyon Wilderness area (click map to enlarge):

Browns Canyon in the News

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Many many people and organizations support the Browns Canyon Wilderness. Here is a listing of just a few choice quotes supporting the Browns Canyon Wilderness.

“this is one of the cleanest wilderness proposals I’ve seen in almost 20 years in Congress. It is the result of a grassroots effort, spearheaded by the Friends of Browns Canyon and continues to enjoy overwhelming local public support. It presents no problems with water, mining or grazing rights and would fit into Chaffee County’s plans for its economic future, which appear to be based on outdoor recreation. I hope the subcommittee and the full committee will act quickly to designate this area so that those plans may become a reality.” Representative Joel Hefley before the Committee on Resources

"It would be a travesty if Browns Canyon is not designated as wilderness," Senator Ken Salazar.
(Denver Post 11/15/2006 Editorial: Pass Browns Canyon bill now)

Browns Canyon "boasts some of Colorado's most pristine forests, great hunting and fishing habitat, and draws outdoor enthusiasts from across Colorado and the country during nearly every season." Senator Ken Salazar (Denver Post 06/07/2008 Editorial: Browns Canyon needs protection)

“...it would be a shame if partisanship derailed efforts to protect one of Colorado's most precious natural assets.” (Denver Post 07/30/2006 Editorial: Pass bills to protect state's wilderness )

“The part of the Arkansas River adjacent to the Browns Canyon area is one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the country, and the wilderness area would preserve unspoiled views for those running the river - when they have time to look. The surrounding areas already offer many kinds of recreation, and adding the possibility of a wilderness experience can only enhance the area's appeal.” Rocky Mountain News 7/24/2006 Editorial: Congress should act on wilderness bills

“Browns is a fragile area. Since it's for the most part a high desert receiving only small amounts of annual precipitation, any damage to the land from off-road use is a long time recovering. At the same time, because of its unusual rock formations and outcroppings and its wild, untamed and rugged nature, Browns is deserving of full wilderness designation.” Mountain Mail 4/13/2007 Editorial: Designate Browns

"The Browns Canyon Wilderness Area as currently proposed by Rep. Joel Hefley represents a reasonable compromise between various users and outdoor enthusiasts.

"Originally, Browns Canyon was presented as 35,000 acres, which has been scaled back to just over 20,000 acres. The smaller area makes sense in that it will be easier to manage and define, with boundaries for the most part running alongside existing roads and trails, the Arkansas River, railroad tracks and other readily-recognized features. This will make it easier for users to understand what’s wilderness and what’s not and easier for officials to educate the public and enforce." Mountain Mail 9/16/2005 Editorial: Browns Canyon ‘go’

"What it boils down to," Bill Sustrich says, "is back in Washington we have a bunch of ivory-tower types. They never go out and get their feet dirty. They listened to a couple ATV guys here locally who happened to be NRA members. It was slanted input, period. None of them ever came out and looked at the ground here." Denver Post 05/18/2008 Op-Ed by David Lien: Protecting big game habitat in Browns Canyon

"The motorized crowd may not be able to go everywhere they want sitting on their butts, but if they chase all the game out, gouge the meadows, muddy the stream and make all that noise, I have no reason to go there. They effectively have denied access to everyone who doesn't want those things." David Petersen Denver Post 12/13/2006 Editorial by Charlie Meyers, Outdoors Editor: Browns Canyon bill daggered

"We need to maintain quality habitat for wildlife populations, and more roads won't do that," [David] Lien said last week in a letter to [Senator] Allard. Denver Post 11/08/2006 Editorial by Charlie Meyers, Outdoors Editor: NRA off target on Browns Canyon project

“To say the view from a granite knob high above the east bank of the Arkansas River inspires patriotic sentiment would be an understatement.

[The Browns Canyon Wilderness area] is where our country lives - or at least, it's one of the remnants we've beaten it back to.” Rocky Mountain News 7/3/2008 column DENTRY: Struggle endures to protect Browns Canyon

“As an NRA life member and NRA-ILA supporter, I suggest that the organization is mistaken in opposing [the]… proposed Browns Canyon Wilderness Area in central Colorado. I live in the adjacent county. I have hunted and fished in Browns Canyon…and I fully support its wilderness designation.” (Chas Clifton) Rocky Mountain News 3/8/2008 Op-Ed by David A. Lien: Protecting big game habitat in Browns Canyon

I believe - like military veteran and famed hunter-conservationist Teddy Roosevelt - that, "Of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us." Rocky Mountain News 3/8/2008 Speakout by David A. Lien: Browns Canyon ideal wilderness candidate

“Designation of Browns Canyon and the surrounding area as wilderness offers a distinct marketing advantage to local rafting companies and outdoor retailers. It would be rare indeed to have an official wilderness area adjacent to the most popular whitewater river in North America.” Mountain Mail 4/2/2007 Guest Opinion by Andy Neinas: Preserve Browns for future generations

“...the proposed wilderness area’s low altitude provides rich species diversity and year-round recreational access and opportunities such as hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, backpacking and camping.” 8/24/08 Letter to The Pueblo Chieftian by ROY L. MASINTON, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: Browns Canyon has wilderness potential

“The best use of the land for Browns Canyon is wilderness designation. The sheer ruggedness, proximity to water and low elevation provides tremendous big game habitat. With the 100,000 acre Fourmile Motorized Area due north, proposed mountain bike paths to the south, the full recreational use spectrum for balanced year round use would be realized for public land east of the Arkansas River.” 10/17/2008 letter to The Mountain Mail by Michael Kunkel: Wilderness is best use of land

“Chaffee County's boating industry would get a jolt from a nationally recognized wilderness area adjacent to Browns Canyon, proponents of the legislation said Wednesday.

"I want to be able to promote that," Arkansas River Outfitters Association member Joe Greiner said. "I think that would be a great marketing angle for us: 'Come visit Browns Canyon wilderness.' That's probably going to headline most of my marketing."” 4/5/2007 article in The Mountain Mail by Jason Starr: Browns Canyon Wilderness: Boating industry would get economic boost

“We simply cannot allow our booming population and their toys to dictate how much wild land becomes wilderness. We should remind ourselves that we are not “users” of the backcountry, but the stewards of it.” Time to get real about Browns Canyon by Paul Vertrees

Donate

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Today’s donation protects tomorrow’s legacy. Please donate generously to help protect this fragile wilderness for generations to come.

You can donate using PayPal:
Or you may make checks payable to:

Friends of Browns Canyon Wilderness
PO Box 1050
Salida, CO 81201

Thank you for what you’re doing to preserve and protect our natural heritage!

Get Involved

2009-05-18T14:13:00.006-06:00

Whether you support Browns because of its unique and fragile beauty, or its importance as winter elk habitat, or because you too believe that we are stewards of the land, not users of it, the time is now to protect it for the future.

There are many ways to help:

Join our email list – this will keep you in the loop and at the ready-- we won’t fill your inbox, we’ll just make sure you’re alerted when there’s news or a new chance to make a difference. (Sign up in the box at left.)

Advocate
Let the Colorado members of Congress know that you support the Browns Canyon Wilderness and that they should too! Email Senator Udall, email Senator Bennet, and email Congressman Lamborn. And please send a copy to Friends of Browns Canyon Wilderness so we know who's taking action!

Here's a sample letter:
For a number of years, many of us have actively pursued the review, management and protection of Browns Canyon as part the National Wilderness Preservation System. These 20,000 acres offer excellent primitive recreation and hunting for those who understand and enjoy the solitude and value of wilderness. It is one of the few low-elevation, semi-desert areas in Colorado, accessible during fall, winter and spring. Fortunately, the area is free from timber, mineral and water conflicts.

Browns is important winter range for elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion and smaller wildlife. In addition, there are approximately 50 head of bighorn sheep. It is well-documented that motorized vehicles place undue stress on Bighorn Sheep and other wildlife.

The barrier to establishing Browns Canyon Wilderness comes from the ATV users in Buena Vista who are fighting to cut the area in two from the Turret trail to the forest trail north of Browns. This small group of individuals has no interest in the protection of the wildlife resources, the value of wilderness or consideration of hikers and horse riders. At this point, the key issue is protecting the Turret Trail and insuring a complete and whole wilderness.

Use your connections
Let us know if you have a personal connection to Representative Lamborn or to either Senator Udall or Bennet; please indicate whether or not you are willing to put your connections to work for wilderness.

Spread the word!
Recruit others to support the campaign.

Make a donation
We’re a volunteer-driven effort, but we still need funds to cover outreach to our congressional delegation as well as administrative costs. Every dollar you donate provides the tools we need to get this wilderness designation passed.

Create a caption

2009-05-15T18:21:00.000-06:00

Use the comments to tell us what we'd hear if we spoke mountain lion....

Tell the world about Browns Canyon Wilderness

2009-04-23T09:53:00.003-06:00

Just copy this html and paste it into your web page or blog!

(You'll need to delete the red parts at the end.)