The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill, introduced Oct. 22, would add more than 33,000 acres to the region’s designated wilderness. The bill has made allowances for two other forms of protection. If the legislation is passed, the following areas would move into permanent protection:

• 3,170 acres would be added to the existing Lizard Head Wilderness Area by the Blackface, Sunshine and Wilson additions.

• 8,375 acres would be added to the existing Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Liberty Bell and Last Dollar additions.

• 13,231 acres would be added to the existing Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Whitehouse addition.

• 8,614 acres of the McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area, located in the Lower Dolores drainage, would be designated as wilderness

• 21,697 acres in San Juan and San Miguel County including Ice Lakes basin outside of Silverton and the high alpine peaks near Ophir would be designated as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. Existing uses including heliskiing would be allowed to continue indefinitely.

• 6,595 acres would be withdrawn from eligibility for mineral leasing in Naturita Canyon, near Norwood.

– Will Sands