Local Editorial Urges Hurd to Advance Dolores River Conservation Bill

A Jan. 4 editorial called on Congressman Jeff Hurd to sponsor the House companion to legislation that would establish the Dolores River National Conservation Area (NCA) and a Special Management Area, framing the introduction as the necessary follow-up to unanimous action by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Dec. 17. The editorial praised Hurd’s earlier role in passing the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act and urged him to complete what it described as a bipartisan, locally-crafted agreement born of nearly two decades of stakeholder work.

The proposal reflects work by the Lower Dolores Planning Group, which negotiated details intended to balance conservation with local uses. The plan explicitly protects existing water rights, grazing allotments, private property, operations at McPhee Reservoir and valid existing mineral leases while targeting protections to the Dolores River canyon areas. Supporters emphasized that those protections were central to winning broad local backing from counties, tribes, water districts, ranchers, sportsmen, conservation groups and mining interests.

Momentum in the Senate committee, where consideration was unanimous, highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill at that stage. Local leaders and stakeholders have framed House action as the next institutional step: introduction of a companion measure, committee consideration in the House, and floor votes that would be required to enact the NCA. The editorial summarized that trajectory with a concise appeal: "A strong first step – now finish the job on the Dolores."

For Dolores County residents, the stakes are practical as well as symbolic. If enacted, the designation would aim to conserve the scenic and ecological character of the Dolores River canyon, potentially enhancing recreational access and habitat protections. At the same time the agreed language seeks to avoid disrupting ranching operations, municipal and agricultural water supplies tied to McPhee Reservoir, and private land use or existing mineral development rights, which many local officials and property owners identified as critical during negotiations.

The path forward depends on action in the U.S. House of Representatives. The editorial positions Hurd’s introduction of a companion bill as the logical next move to translate near-unanimous committee support and extensive local consensus into federal law. Residents and institutional stakeholders looking to track progress will need to monitor whether a House sponsor files the companion measure and how quickly it receives committee and floor consideration.