On the other hand, the WSA protects open space, wildlife habitat and solitude, said Mark Pearson of the San Juan Citizen\u2019s Alliance. If it were lifted, the area could potentially be opened up to oil and gas leasing, he said, and more trails put pressure on wildlife.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see it\u2019s an important corridor for elk and deer to migrate from the lower elevations up to the La Plata Mountains,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
DeGette believes undeveloped wilderness attracts people and helps the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople from Mancos tell me the reason they moved there was for the solitude of these wilderness study areas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
A local resident asked how neighbors would feel about natural gas leases and ATV \u201cin their backyard\u201d if the WSAs were dropped.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think the BLM is going to start bulldozing roads just because it came out of a wilderness study area,\u201d Ertel said.<\/p>\n
Menefee has a musk thistle and cheat grass infestation, in part as a result of a 2012 wildfire, said county noxious weed manager Bonnie Loving. The concern is the weeds could spread to nearby farmland and fire-prone cheat grass could trigger more frequent, destructive fires.<\/p>\n
If the WSA were released, it would be easier for the BLM to address the invasive weed problem by using ATVs instead of less cost-effective backpack spot spraying, Loving said.<\/p>\n
Use of ATVs is not the ideal choice for BLM managers because the area has WSA restrictions on the use of motorized vehicles and equipment.<\/p>\n
DeGette pointed out that the BLM may use ATVs in wilderness areas during emergency situations or for critical management purposes such as treating weeds to protect wilderness values including wildlife and native plant habitat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is flexibility in wilderness \u2013 helicopters and motorized uses are permitted in emergency situations and for rescues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Tres Rios region stretches across five counties and operates on a limited weed management budget, BLM officials said. They plan to continue spot treatments methods of noxious weeds on Menefee and are not considering aerial spraying.<\/p>\n
DeGette framed the weed management issue as a federal funding problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to do a better job of funding the BLM and Forest Service so they can better manage federal lands, especially in Colorado, where there is growing population pressure,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m committed to make sure we get management budgets raised.\u201d<\/p>\n
DeGette visited the Cortez area for three days to pitch her Wilderness Act of 2019. She toured the Cross Canyon Wilderness Study Area by horseback, held a well-attended community meeting at Cortez City Hall and drove up a four-wheel drive road to meet with county officials at Menefee Mountain.<\/p>\n
A show of hands at the Cortez City Hall meeting on Aug. 26 showed about 75% support for DeGette\u2019s Wilderness bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was pleasantly surprised,\u201d she said. \u201cI enjoyed the visit and learned a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n