How the Public Can Shape National Conservation Area Proposals
The lower Dolores River is a landscape of striking beauty, rich ecological value, and deep cultural significance. Efforts to protect this region have sparked discussions around different conservation tools, including National Conservation Area (NCA) legislation. But how exactly does the public have a say in this process? How are NCAs different from national monuments? And how do legislative designations like wilderness fit into the picture?
The Role of Public Input in NCA Legislation
Unlike executive designations like national monuments, which are created by the president under the Antiquities Act, NCAs are established through congressional legislation. This means they undergo a robust public process involving local stakeholders, county governments, and state representatives before becoming law. Usually, legislative language is created during this time, therefore, it is clear what exactly is being introduced in Congress. The entire process is public, with multiple opportunities for stakeholders and the public to shape the ultimate outcome.
A typical NCA legislative process includes:
Initial Stakeholder Engagement – County officials, conservation groups, ranchers, recreational users, lawmakers, and other interested parties meet to identify shared priorities and concerns.
Drafting Legislative Language – Lawmakers, often with input from county commissioners and advocacy groups, craft the details of the proposed NCA bill including boundaries.
Public Comment Periods & Community Meetings – Local residents have opportunities to weigh in through town halls, written comments, and meetings with elected officials.
Legislative Refinements – Based on feedback, the bill can be adjusted to better reflect community interests before it is formally introduced in Congress.
Congressional Process & Final Approval – Once introduced, the bill moves through committee hearings, undergoes potential additional changes and amendments based on feedback from lawmakers and agency representatives, and spurs floor debates before a final vote and the president’s signature. Often this is not a linear process, as many bills are introduced and have hearings but do not make it to the president’s desk, while the ones that do often take a number of years and pass together in large omnibus packages.
The Inclusion of Wilderness and Other Protections
One advantage of NCA legislation compared to other conservation tools is that it can include wilderness designations, which provide the highest level of protection for wilderness-quality public lands. While some fear that an NCA could be a weaker form of protection, the reality is that legislative conservation tools offer flexibility to ensure permanent safeguards.
Wilderness areas within an NCA receive the strongest level of protection, ensuring that these lands remain free from roads, mechanized vehicles, and industrial development. This can permanently address administrative categories such as BLM Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and other wilderness-quality lands such as the Dolores River Canyon WSA, Sewemup Mesa WSA and the Palisade WSA.
Addressing Common Concerns
One concern often raised is whether a national monument could still be designated on top of an NCA. The answer is simple: This has never happened. Once Congress designates an NCA, the area is protected under law, and there is no precedent for a monument being layered on top.
Another worry is that an NCA would restrict traditional uses like grazing, hunting, or recreation. In reality, NCA legislation is crafted with local input to balance conservation with existing activities. In many cases, protections are designed specifically to maintain access for these uses while safeguarding the landscape for future generations.
A Comprehensive Conservation Vision
Agreement on an NCA in western Montrose and Mesa counties complements a similar effort to the south that resulted in the Dolores River NCA legislation introduced into Congress by Senator Bennet. A similar agreement for the northern portion of the Dolores would ensure comprehensive conservation for the lower Dolores watershed. This approach provides certainty for West End economic development, whether through tourism, recreation, or mining. By settling the maps permanently through legislative protection, this process allows communities to plan for the future while securing the long-term health of the landscape.
Why Your Voice Matters
Public participation is crucial to ensuring that any conservation legislation reflects the values of those who live, work, and recreate in the region. By engaging in the process, community members can help shape a balanced and lasting solution for the Dolores River.
Whether you attend a public meeting, write to your representatives, or join a local advocacy group, your input helps determine how these lands will be managed for generations to come. Working together, we can create a conservation framework that protects the Dolores while honoring its cultural and economic significance.
A packrafter on the Dolores River in the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area. Credit: Rig to Flip
