On Oct. 22, Meg Moores, community member in Gateway reached out to the Forum with a presentation from her community. Moores shared a seven-page document that contains testimony, poll data and other pieces of evidence supporting the overarching statement that her community collectively does not want to see a national monument designated along the Dolores River.
The packet states that the Gateway/Unaweep community recently gave input on the proposed monument, but also the idea of a national conservation area (NCA). A community-wide survey was mailed out, but an online version was also available.
The document states that Highway 141 is already dangerous and increased traffic would increase that. Many know rodeo mom Kindra Mazurek, who works for CDOT.
“As a CDOT employee in Gateway and Unaweep Canyon, increased traffic means more accidents, more fatalities, more road damage, and increased numbers in wildlife deaths,” Mazurek said. "Currently, we experience at least six road kills and accidents every week. Increased traffic will increase accidents. I'm very concerned. This canyon encompasses many farm animals including cattle, llamas, goats, horses, dogs … Highway 141 and CDOT cannot withstand the increased traffic as is.”
The document states Gateway “has insufficient infrastructure for increased tourism, and we are concerned that will not be addressed due to lack of funding to accompany any designation.” It adds due to the area’s dry climate, ongoing drought, and forest overgrowth due to limited logging and woodcutting, the terrain is at a high risk of wildfire, and tourism would only exacerbate that risk.
The document states nearly all respondents claim “access to public lands is very important … via all currently open roads” and that “multiple uses on public lands allows for the best management practices.” Private property rights and the retaining of grazing rights are highlighted as big concerns.
In the poll, 89 percent of respondents said they felt current regulations on public lands around the Dolores River were adequate for protecting the area's wild nature, plants and wildlife. And, more than 98 percent said it’s important to keep the current roads open.
Regarding activities taking place on local public lands, 88.4 percent said grazing was important, and 74.4 percent support mining. Meanwhile, 73.3 percent value hiking, and 44.2 percent want to see mountain biking continue. Nearly 70 percent want to see 4x4 opportunities on public lands retained, and 45.3 want to see rafting available.
As far as logging goes, more than half of respondents said that should continue, and 81.4 percent want to be able to cut firewood. Similarly, 62.8 percent want to harvest cedar posts.
More than 70 percent want camping to exist on public lands in the Dolores River area, and 76.7 percent are concerned about fishing, with 57 percent wanting access to swim. Furthermore, 53.5 want prospecting for minerals as an option, and at least 36 percent do value hospitality.
Respondents also wrote in some activities, and more than 70 percent value hunting; more than 25 percent value kayaking, and they also voiced the importance of rock hunting, shed hunting, flying, horseback riding, having multiple uses, enjoying peace and quiet, exploring, shooting, joyriding and climbing the Palisade.
They community survey concludes by stating that 95.3 percent of residents don’t support a national monument, and 79.1 don’t support an NCA. Additionally, it says 93.8 said they didn’t get to the opportunity to provide input on the idea of a national monument, and 91.4 said they didn’t get to do so for an NCA.