The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
To Salazar: “Thank you for restoring balance”
The Gunnison County Board of Commissioners will formally thank Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for his Wild Lands Policy. Acknowledging that Gunnison County is comprised of 85 percent public lands, the commissioners have drafted a letter recognizing Secretary Salazar for restoring a balanced approach to public land management.
“[Order #3310] recognizes the economic, recreational, environmental, scientific and cultural vitality of these areas, and responsibly calls for wilderness characteristics to be considered on par with other characteristics when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) carries out its multiple-use management mission,” the letter said.
Historically, the BLM has had the authority to determine land management priorities for BLM parcels, and given those priorities, how to manage for other uses as well. But since a 2003 ruling by the Bush Administration, the BLM has had less authority to include wilderness characteristics in that balance.
“Secretary Salazar’s order brings the value of wilderness characteristics back on par with other land uses,” BLM Gunnison Field Office manager Brian St. George told the commissioners at a working session on Tuesday, February 22.
The BLM is still finalizing its internal policy in response to Secretary Salazar’s order.
At the commissioners’ regular session on Tuesday, March 1, county commissioner Phil Chamberland offered some additional thoughts.
“Typically, I wouldn’t have pursued this letter… I’m not opposed to the whole premise, but I wasn’t sure about the words ‘reestablish a rational and comprehensive approach.’ I’m not sure we’ve been operating without a rational or comprehensive approach,” he said. “And for environmental groups, it has become a political stone. Typically, I wouldn’t get into the fray, giving people a stone to throw. But I’m not opposed to the premise, and if you feel strongly, and it gives clarity [to BLM land management practices], I will support [the letter].”
“It does provide clarity, and we should let the secretary know,” county commissioner Paula Swenson responded. She made a motion for approval, and the motion passed unanimously.
