Rugged area near Delta now federally protected

Colorado's newest legally designated Wilderness area, Dominguez Canyon, is 66,000 acres of rugged red rock canyon country along the Gunnison River just northwest of Delta.

Horseback rider Claude Rocchia says, "The natural beauty is spectacular. The wildlife, the sheep, ya know the tranquility of it, the red rocks, the vegetation."

Scenic wonders, opportunities for recreations, and solitude, along with an ancient culture, are now forever protected by the Federal Government.

The wilderness area is surrounded by 144,000 acres of multi-use public land. All of this results from a grassroots effort, a very rare consensus among naturalists, hunters, and off-road vehicle enthusiasts.

Andrea Robinsong of the Western Slope Environmental Research Council says, "We represent a lot of people that actually live around this area who were in favor of designation and having the local people involved in the process really is what made it move forward."

Once a wilderness area becomes federally granted this status, all motorized vehicles become banned. This includes bicycles.

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Source: http://www.nbc11news.com/regionalnews/headlines/92079324.html

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