TRUTH
The Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal is very reasonable, nearly 84% of Colorado’s BLM lands will remain open to motorized recreation, resource extraction and other non-wilderness uses. Saving 16% of our BLM lands as wilderness is not extreme. Many people—of all ages and incomes—enjoy wilderness on a regular basis. People, and wildlife, need places to escape motors, gas wells and roads.
FALLACY
Wilderness is not multiple use.
TRUTH
The Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960 notes: "The establishment and maintenance of areas of wilderness are consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Act" (sect. 2). In fact, wilderness is not a "use" but a management tool supporting many uses and values. Uses for wilderness include: wildlife habitat, scenic-viewing, hiking, backpacking, boating, camping, hunting, fishing, and livestock grazing. Values which wilderness supports include: clean air & water, genetic diversity, archeological and paleontological resource protection, open space, and healthy, inexpensive, recreation.
FALLACY
BLM has other options to protect these lands. Wilderness is not needed.
TRUTH
Wilderness is the only legal mechanism adequate to protect wilderness quality lands. While BLM has administrative options to manage agency lands, only wilderness carries the weight of congressional law. No other management option protects wilderness quality lands as effectively as wilderness. Wilderness exists to ensure that a small percentage of lands remain in an undeveloped state for wildlife, people and future generations.
FALLACY
Wilderness designation would impose tough air quality standards, impacting neighboring businesses and industry.
TRUTH
The 1977 Clean Air Act established 120 mandatory Class 1 areas in existing wilderness. Most of the remainder of the United States was classified as Class 2 areas. The management of lands as wilderness does not change those areas’ designation. Only those 120 wilderness areas originally designated in1977 are Class 1 areas; more than 500 wilderness areas have no special air quality standards.
FALLACY
Wilderness is being driven by Front Range and national interests, and/or environmental extremists.
TRUTH
The Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal is a grass-roots response to the BLM’s minimalist recommendations for wilderness. Hundreds of Western Slope residents have been involved in this effort from the beginning. Lead organizations include the Western Colorado Congress, Colorado Environmental Coalition and Colorado Mountain Club, all with strong Western Colorado memberships. Supporters include hunting groups such as the Colorado Wildlife Federation, church groups such as the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo, recreation groups like the Access Fund, and over 150 local governments and businesses. Developing our few remaining wild areas, or demanding a "right" to drive a vehicle everywhere and anywhere, are the true extreme positions.
FALLACY
Colorado already has plenty of wilderness.
TRUTH
Most of Colorado’s designated wilderness exists above 9,000 feet. Such "rock and ice" wilderness, while beautiful and important, does not include the diversity of life found at lower elevations. These lower elevation wild lands provide year-round habitat and critical winter range for Colorado’s wildlife. Lower elevation lands are also more accessible to people, meaning both that they are important for year-round recreational access and that they are more threatened by irresponsible motorized use and other non-wilderness developments. It is time to protect our remaining wild canyon country for our own well being, for wildlife, and for future generations.
FALLACY
This proposal would have severe consequences for Colorado’s water.
TRUTH
Wilderness and wildlife need water. In recognition of this, the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1999 includes a public water right. However, this right is junior to all existing rights and does not take precedent over them, coming into existence at the time the bill is passed by Congress. It would have little or no effect on the development of Colorado’s water resources outside of wilderness. Wilderness, through prohibiting new industrial developments and restricting motorized use, helps protect Colorado’s water quality.
FALLACY
People who support wilderness don’t understand the ramifications; if they did they would oppose it.
TRUTH
Coloradans support wilderness because we understand the importance of protecting our few remaining wild places and open spaces. Growth concerns rank top on Coloradans’ priority list. As private lands face unprecedented pressures from development, it is incumbent that we act now to protect our remaining undeveloped public lands. Polls, attendance at hearings, and public comments to agencies all show overwhelming support for the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal. This is true even when poll questions specifically include explanations of what restrictions wilderness entails.