HomeMy WebLinkAbout790931.tiff RESOLUTION /77?..
RE: OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED RARE II WILDERNESS ALLOCATIONS IN THE
PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the
affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado has examined the proposed RARE II wilderness allocations
in the Pawnee National Grasslands. The areas in Weld County
initially proposed for wilderness designation were classified as
02309 (Willow Creek) , 02328 (Keota) and 02329 (Sand Creek) , and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado desires to officially state its opposition to the pro-
posed RARE II wilderness allocations in the Pawnee National
Grassland which concern the wilderness designation in Weld County,
and as reasons therefor, the Board states as follows :
1. Willow Creek is currently administered on a multiple-
use basis by the Forest Service, with livestock grazing
the most significant use. Ranchers who hold Federal
grazing permits in the area maintain that provisions
of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act were inteneded to
maintain rural lifestyles by assuring continued,
uninterrupted use of the range for grazing. These area
residents are very concerned that wilderness designation
will adversely impact grazing operations.
2. The Pawnee Grasslands area is used by educational insti-
tutions and wildlife groups from throughout northeastern
Colorado in carrying out land management and nature study
programs. Given the openness and large acreage involved
in the Grasslands , closure of vehicular access to the
Willow Creek region would eliminate many of those wild-
life study opportunities . It would appear that wilder-
ness designation of the area would diminish rather than
c_,
790931
faN
•
enhance opportunities for some types of nature study
and wildlife-related recreation.
3. Exploration and development of oil, gas and uranium
reserves in the Pawnee Grasslands area has increased
in recent years , and that portion proposed for wilder-
ness designation includes approximately 4,600 acres of
identified mineral rights at issue. It seems apparent
that any eventual production would be severely impeded
by lack of vehicular access. Of additional concern is
the location of this region relative to utility pipelines
and power transmission corridors from Wyoming through
northeastern Colorado. Weld County also utilizes gravel
from several sites near the A2309 location for road con-
struction and maintenance. Weld County also holds gra-
vel use agreements on other sites which may be affected
by wilderness designation.
4. Due to air quality regulations applicable in wilderness
regions, Weld County' s land use decisions and planning
policies would be affected by wilderness designation. A
clear potential exists for wilderness designation to limit
the location of new facilities in the areas surrounding
the Pawnee Grasslands. There are several communities
within 20 miles of the Willow Creek boundaries which
would benefit by new industry, development of which may
be precluded by such air quality designation.
5. Potential effects on Weld County roads bordering the
Willow Creek region and on law enforcement requirements
are difficult to quantify without estimates of numbers of
increased visitors into the area. It seems reasonable
to project that increased traffic would result in pres-
sure for paving of more heavily traveled County grovel
roads due to deterioration of road conditions and fugitive
dust controls required if the area were to be designated
Class I. Any major increase in area tourism would also
require increased law enforcement activity to deal with
n P
trespass on private property and damage to livestock and
improvements.
6. Surface water availability in the region is extremely
limited and unreliable, with wells providing the major
source of water. Maximizing water yield through water
management activities is essential to area inhabitants
and vegetation.
7. Forest Service options for range management practices to
enhance soil, vegetation and wildlife qualities would also
be limited under wilderness designation. The relationship
which has developed between various users in the area has
been a complimentary one with both livestock owners and
the forest service utilizing management techniques to
enhance and protect the area. Designation of this area
• as wilderness may damage the cooperative relationship which
has nurtured many of those qualities now valued as wilderness.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners feels that it would
not be in the best interests of Weld County to designate Willow Creek,
Keota and Sand Creek as wilderness areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commis-
sioners of Weld County, Colorado that the reasons for opposing the
designation of Willow Creek, Keota, and Sand Creek as wilderness
areas, as stated above, be, and hereby are, adopted and a copy of
this Resolution is to be forwarded to the office of Governor Lamm
in Denver, Colorado.
The above and foregoing. Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote .on the 7th day of
March, A.D. , 1979.
4 '7 .p.. ti BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: / t ELD
COUNTY, COLORADO
• Weld County Clerk and Recorder ' s .� c1 bee,__
to the Boa( nn
$y ��fl�^1/Iif /� jJtt
(!/eputy County C irk fr,lLti('
'RT.? ED AS .TO-EORM: �� � !/G7
O eonard Roe absent
County Attorney
DATE PRESENTED: MARCH 7, 1979
Hello