Release No. 0041.15 Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

Printable version Email this page

 

Secretary Jewell, Secretary Vilsack Applaud President Obama's Designation of Browns Canyon National Monument

President's Proclamation Fulfills Decade-Long Community Drive to Protect Spectacular Landscape and World-class Recreation Opportunities

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2015 – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today joined members of Congress, local elected officials, and conservation partners from the Upper Arkansas River Valley in applauding the President's designation of Browns Canyon National Monument.

The new monument, located in Chaffee County near the town of Salida, Colorado, spans approximately 21,500 acres of rugged cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings, and stunning mountain vistas. The area tells the story of the area's native peoples as well as the history of recent settlers and mining communities. The monument protects one of the nation's most popular destinations for whitewater rafting, with the Arkansas River and adjacent uplands hosting world-class recreation opportunities and a vibrant outdoor economy.

The national monument, comprised of existing federal lands, will continue to be jointly managed by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.

"Today's designation follows a decade of work by the local community to protect this spectacular area," said Secretary Jewell. "Browns Canyon is a major economic driver for Colorado, drawing tourists and adventure-seekers from near and far. The President's action will ensure that remains the case for generations to come."

"Browns Canyon is an incredibly unique area with a rich cultural legacy, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities, and important resources for the region's economy," said Secretary Vilsack. "This is a working landscape where generations of ranchers have earned their livelihood. These lands also have provided a home for people for 10,000 years, and the cultural and historical resources protected by this monument honor the area's Native Peoples. I am proud that we are able to conserve and properly manage landscapes such as this that are so important to rural communities."

In December, senior administration officials visited Salida, Colorado, at the request of Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall to hear from the community about its vision for Browns Canyon. Legislation to recognize Browns Canyon was first introduced in 2005 by Representative Joel Hefley and Senator Wayne Allard.

The proclamation allows for continued historic uses of the area, including hunting, fishing, and livestock grazing. The designation does not affect water rights or allocations of the Arkansas River. It supports the ongoing cooperative management of the Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area by the BLM and the State of Colorado and preserves existing agreements for recreation uses and access.

"Browns Canyon National Monument joins spectacular landscapes across the West as part of the National Conservation Lands, America's newest conservation system which is managed by the BLM," said BLM Director Neil Kornze. "These lands are a critical part of our western outdoor economy and our proud American heritage."

"The designation of Browns Canyon National Monument signals a renewed commitment for an area respected and loved by tens of thousands of people. We look forward to working with the Bureau of Land Management, the State of Colorado, local communities, organizations and individuals to develop a management plan for the National Monument," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "This land is more than worthy of special designation. This truly is a monument for all."

Browns Canyon harbors a wealth of scientifically significant geological, ecological, cultural, and historical resources, and is an important area for studies of paleoecology, mineralogy, archaeology, and climate change. The area's unusual geology and roughly 3,000-foot range in elevation have given rise to a diversity of plants and wildlife, including a significant herd of bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine.

The national monument designation will protect the outstanding opportunities to recreate, including hiking, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing and rock climbing, as well as to experience the solitude and undeveloped beauty of this rugged landscape.

Browns Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in the nation for whitewater enthusiasts, totaling more than 90,000 user-days annually, according to figures compiled by BLM. According to the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial rafting on the Arkansas River contributes roughly $60 million to the local economy.

Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming in 1906, the Antiquities Act has been used by 16 presidents to protect unique natural and historic features in America, including the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty and Colorado's Canyons of the Ancients.

With today's actions, President Obama has used his authority under the Antiquities Act to create or expand 16 National Monuments. Through the designations, he has protected more than 260 million acres of public lands and waters – more than any other President – as well as preserved sites that help tell the story of significant people or extraordinary events in American history, such as Cèsar E. Chàvez National Monument in California and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument in Maryland.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).