Congressman Jeff Hurd deserves congratulations. With the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act now signed into law, he has secured his first legislative win – one that protects habitat, supports hunters and sportsmen, and invests wisely in conservation without costing taxpayers a dime (Herald, Nov. 2). It’s a practical, bipartisan achievement and a promising start.
Now it’s time to build on that momentum.
Southwest Colorado is awaiting Hurd's introduction of the House companion to the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act. The Senate has already done its part. Last week, the bill cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously under the leadership of Sen. Mike Lee of Utah (Herald, Dec. 22). Given Lee’s skepticism of new public-lands designations, that support underscores how carefully balanced and mainstream this proposal is.
Local leaders agree. Commissioners from Montezuma and La Plata counties – joined by officials from Dolores, San Miguel and Archuleta counties, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, water districts, ranchers, sportsmen, conservation groups and mining interests – have spent nearly two decades shaping this bill through the Lower Dolores Planning Group (Herald, Dec. 14). More than 100 stakeholder meetings produced a durable compromise that protects water rights, grazing, private property, McPhee Reservoir operations and valid existing mineral leases, while safeguarding the Dolores River’s iconic canyons.
Despite criticism from some, including former commissioner and HD 58 Rep. Larry Don Suckla of Cortez, who argue environmental groups drove the effort, current commissioners unanimously support the designation (Herald, Dec. 24). In fact, the Lower Dolores River planning process deliberately removed Wild and Scenic designation from consideration to reach consensus, opting instead for a locally designed NCA that reflects Western Slope priorities and long-standing water concerns.
Former Rep. Lauren Boebert recognized that consensus and introduced the House companion in the last Congress. Hurd now has the chance to do the same. A fitting New Year’s gift to Southwest Colorado would be meaningful and straightforward: introduce the Dolores River NCA bill and help take this long-negotiated agreement over the finish line.
