U.S. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado introduced legislation this week to permanently protect 172,000 acres of the Thompson Divide from oil and gas development.
If signed into law, the Thompson Divide and Withdrawal Act of 2017 would withdraw most of the public lands in the Thompson Divide, a pristine area with extremely productive and unique wildlife habitat, an array of outdoor recreation opportunities and prolific fisheries near Carbondale, Colorado.
Trout Unlimited offered this statement concerning the legislation:
We are proud of the efforts that TU and sportsmen made alongside a diverse coalition of local governments, ranchers, business owners and outdoor recreationists to cancel the leases within the Divide, said Tyler Baskfield, Colorado Sportsmen Coordinator for Trout Unlimited. But in order for sportsmen to be certain that this incredible place will provide outstanding wildlife resources and hunting and fishing opportunities for generations to come, we need a permanent legislative solution.
We appreciate Sen. Bennets work to offer this balanced, commonsense solution that satisfies the diverse interests in the Thompson Divide. His legislation provides a constructive path forward with fair compensation to former lease holders and eliminates the threat of oil and gas development perpetually.
For more information about the Thompson Divide and sportsmens efforts to protect it, go to the Sportsmen for the Thompson Divide website.