Last week, La Plata County became the first county in the country to pass a resolution supporting national public lands and opposing the Trump administration’s push to sell them off (Herald, April. 9).
In a unanimous vote, Commissioners Marsha Porter-Norton, Matt Salka and Clyde Church passed the resolution and made impassioned statements about standing up and fighting for public lands and our values. We should be proud of their leadership and commitment to our community’s outdoor way of life.
La Plata County is amazing. Not only do we have some of the most rugged and wild public lands in the state – the San Juan National Forest, Weminuche Wilderness and the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area – we also have amazing national public lands right here in town – Animas Mountain, Grandview Ridge and Skyline Ridge.
These areas are probably better known by the trail names in areas like South Rim, Big Canyon, Sidewinder and Cowboy, or on the west side of town including parts of Sailing Hawks, Lupine and Animas Mountain trails.
Some of our counties best trails, and parts of almost every trail system in Durango, are on national public lands. Having any of these places sold off or given away would significantly undermine and destroy why so many of us choose to live here.
Bravo, La Plata County! Here’s hoping Rep. Hurd hears you – and us.
Michael Carroll
Durango
