Hickenlooper, Bennet Cheer Committee Passage of Their Bill to Expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area

Bill next heads to the Senate floor for a full vote

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, member of Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Michael Bennet celebrated the committee's vote to pass the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act. The legislation would expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in Routt National Forest to protect sub-alpine wilderness habitats and wildlife while increasing access to outdoor recreation. The bill next heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.

"The original vision of the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area included more protected land and better access for outdoor recreation," said Hickenlooper. "Today's vote is a step towards delivering on that vision!"

"Colorado's public lands are core to who we are, and this landscape has long deserved further protection. That's why Senator Hickenlooper and I worked with local leaders on legislation to safeguard it," said Bennet. "I'm grateful that this important bill has passed out of committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this done."

Hickenlooper and Bennet introduced the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act in March with widespread support from local leaders, conservation groups, and outdoor recreation organizations.

Specifically, the legislation would:

• Fulfill the community's vision for the entire Sarvis Creek wilderness area by adding 6,817 acres on to the existing 44,556 acres, which had originally been excluded due to a previously-proposed plan to develop a ski area.
• Extend wilderness protection to the Harrison and Green Creek watersheds-rare, pristine sub-alpine regions that feed into the Yampa River, safeguarding aquatic resources and preserving water quality.
• Protect winter range and spring calving areas for the 250-300 elk that inhabit the area in addition to habitats for other native Colorado fish and wildlife.
• Provide easy public access from Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach for low impact recreation-including hunting, fishing, back-country skiing and hiking.

The legislation now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.

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