U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will be among the dignitaries celebrating an addition to the Uncompahgre National Forest on Tuesday in Ophir.
After a 12-year effort, 1,145 acres of patented mining claims have been added to the Uncompahgre National Forest in Ophir Valley, according to a news release Friday from The Trust for Public Land, which helped broker the deal.
Ophir is a tiny town of about 160 about 10 miles south of Telluride.
Tuesday’s ceremony is for the announcement of the protection of the land in the Ophir Valley and to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which funded the effort.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday attendees will meet at Ophir Town Hall and hike to Waterfall Canyon. At 1 p.m. a lunch and speaking program will be held at Ophir Town Hall.
Visit www.tpl.org/Colorado for more information about The Trust for Public Land.
Other expected attendees include Tim Wohlgenant, Colorado director for The Trust for Public Land; Maribeth Gustafson, deputy regional forester with the U.S. Forest Service; Joan May, San Miguel County commissioner; and town representatives.
johnp@durangoherald.com
