The headline implied that the Hermosa Creek Wilderness bill would restrict snowmobile access on Molas Pass. In fact, the Hermosa Creek bill provides permanent snowmobile access to the West Needles study area by removing it from future consideration for wilderness designation.

The permit issued by the BLM for snowmobile use of the West Needles area is a temporary permit, not meant to provide permanent snowmobile access. In fact, BLM rules do not allow the department to manage travel with such temporary annual permits.

The critical fact that was not made clear in the story is that the Hermosa Creek Wilderness bill would provide permanent, predictable snowmobile access to the West Needles study area by taking it off the table for future wilderness designation. Without the Hermosa Creek bill, the West Needles motorized use permit will expire and the area will be taken out of motorized use.

The Hermosa Creek bill was created with the participation and support of a broad coalition of user groups and boasts bipartisan support from Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Scott Tipton, as well as a gaggle of local political bodies and interest groups.

The Herald should be sure that its reporting on management decisions on local federal lands is accurate, especially at this critical juncture in consideration of the Hermosa Creek bill.

Phillip Supino

Durango