Dolores River Protection in Colorado: New Conservation and Management Areas
This act establishes two new protected areas in Colorado: the Dolores River National Conservation Area and the Dolores River Special Management Area. Its purpose is to conserve natural, recreational, and cultural resources while safeguarding existing water rights and private property. Citizens will benefit from better-managed recreational lands, and their water and private property rights will remain unaffected.
Key points
Establishment of the Dolores River National Conservation Area (approx. 52,872 acres) and the Dolores River Special Management Area (approx. 15,452 acres) in Colorado, aimed at protecting nature, fishing, whitewater boating, hunting, and other resources.
Creation of the Dolores River National Conservation Area Advisory Council, including representatives from local communities, farmers, environmentalists, and Native American tribes, to ensure citizen participation in managing these lands.
Protection of existing water rights, including those of Indian tribes and the operations of the Dolores Project, meaning the act will not negatively impact water access for agriculture and other purposes.
Restriction of new road construction and motorized vehicle use in designated areas, preserving the wild character of these lands while ensuring access to private properties.
Exclusion of the newly established areas from further study for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, stabilizing their protected status.
Introduced
Citizen Poll