On behalf of the Ridgway Ouray Community Council (ROCC) the following comments are being submitted as a part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompaghre, Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) management plan revision scoping comments. ROCC is pleased to participate in the current GMUG forest plan revision process. Please accept these comments as part of the current scoping activity.

The Ridgway Ouray Community Council (ROCC) is a nonprofit community organization whose mission is to build, nourish and protect the healthy spirit of our community and environment. ROCC is dedicated to quality of life issues that will help shape the future of Ouray County.

ROCC has long advocated for preservation of the wild places on the western slope of Colorado. We recognize the importance of having places where we can enjoy the serenity, solitude and beauty, where our citizens and visitors to our areas can recreate and enjoy the places that we all value. We place great value on wilderness itself. We recognize the importance of such areas as habitat for our abundant wildlife. We recognize that the type of outdoor recreation that these places provide is an important driver to the economy of Ouray County.  

Here in Ouray County, ROCC is supporting 5 parcels for consideration. Each has its own unique values but all provide opportunities for primitive recreation and solitude along with scenic and natural features that warrant wilderness protection.  We include some lower elevation habitats that are underrepresented in our region's Wilderness Areas.

The Bear Creek addition to the existing Uncompahgre Wilderness encompasses the Bear Creek drainage (which was previously designated as a Primitive Area) and extends north to include parts of Cascade Mtn., Bridalveil Creek and a section of Horsethief Trail to the Bridge of Heaven.  In addition to the scenic values, this area is critical wildlife habitat and expands wildlife corridors already existing within the current Uncompaghre Wilderness. Bear Creek also includes cultural and historic features as well as significant geological elements.

The Baldy Mtn./Baldy Trail addition would add this acreage of upper tier Colorado Roadless Area to the adjacent Uncompaghre Wilderness.  This area is known for its deer and elk habitat and also extends wildlife corridors.

The Hayden Mountain complex stretches from near Camp Bird Mine Road south to near Black Bear Road and serves as critical deer, elk, bear and lynx habitat along with elk production grounds.  The geology is spectacular and of course the views along the ridgeline are unmatched.  This landscape includes Senator Beck Basin and Spirit Gulch and excludes the Barstow and Greyhound Mines and their access roads.

The Whitehouse addition to the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness extends from Sneffels east to include Blaine Basin and Teakettle, Cirque, Potosi and Whitehouse Mountains.  This is remote, rugged country, much of it without trails and evidence of human presence. This area is absolutely true wilderness.  This landscape is included in the recently introduced San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act. ROCC members have supported this wilderness designation from its beginning and we want to ensure continued protection and management for wilderness qualities.

Finally, we have proposed the Abrams Mountain/Brown Mountain Special Management Area (since it does not meet the minimum 5000 acres size requirement for a wilderness).  We have included Gray Copper Falls north to Abrams Mountain. Again this landscape is valued wildlife habitat particularly for Canada Lynx and the views are some of the finest in the county. Abrams Mountain is an iconic landmark in Ouray County.  

There are adjacent areas in neighboring San Miguel County and other counties that are important to recognize as a part of the overall picture of the connectivity to the areas mentioned in Ouray County. We would urge the Forest Service to recognize the importance of including these areas when considering wilderness protections.

Thank you for your efforts in making the GMUG the outstanding piece of the National Forest System that it deserves to be. ROCC stands ready to assist in any way that we can to aid in that vision.

Jim Stephenson, Public Lands Chairman
Ridgway Ouray Community Council
PO Box 272
Ridgway, CO 81432
970-626-5594
jimphoto@montrose.net