GMUG National Forests obtain 203 acres of wilderness

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, in partnership with the Wilderness Land Trust, acquired three parcels of private land in Gunnison County that are transitioning to wilderness.

These lands, known as “inholdings,” are islands of private land within or next to federally designated wilderness areas. Land management agencies like the Forest Service have their own process to acquire these kinds of properties, but it can often take several years to complete. Typically private landowners who are looking to sell need to move on a faster timeline, especially in the competitive real estate markets that exist throughout much of Colorado, said Margosia Jadkowski of the Land Trust.

Through private fundraising and relationships with landowners that can take years to build, the Land Trust moves more quickly and can hold properties while the Forest Service, Park Service and Bureau of Land Management go through their own process to acquire the inholdings. In the interim, the Land Trust often completes restoration work.

Many of Colorado’s public lands have inholdings because of the state’s rich mining history, she said. Because they don’t carry the protections of the land around them, inholdings can be developed with anything from cabins and resorts to active mines.

“They each carry a threat of development that impacts the designated wilderness surrounding them ... Our goal is to see these wilderness areas — some of which were made 60 years ago now when the Wilderness Act passed — finally be made whole,” Jadkowski said.

According to a press release from the Forest Service, the acquisition includes:

• A roughly 10-acre mining claim located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness called Cooper Glance. This area spans the White River and Gunnison national forests in the Elk Mountains above Crested Butte. It surrounds the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, a popular entry point for hikers and backpackers.

• Jacob Straeder, another approximately 10-acre mining claim that provides recreational access and hunting opportunities. This land lies less than 1,000 feet from the boundary of the Raggeds Wilderness. This wilderness is located northwest of Crested Butte and is known for the nine named summits of the Ruby Range.

• The Cross Mountain acquisition is located within the Fossil Ridge Wilderness and the Fossil Ridge Recreation Management Area, about 16 miles northeast of Gunnison. It is 183 acres and contains 11 mining claims. The Fossil Ridge rises above 13,000 feet and contains the fossilized remains of prehistoric sea life, pine, spruce, fir and aspen forests and valleys carved by ancient glaciers.

The newly acquired wilderness lands contain sensitive alpine ecosystems and wildlife habitat, simplify land boundaries and improve recreational and hunting access in Gunnison County.

“This acquisition protects wild and undeveloped viewsheds and consolidates private ownership within National Forest System lands … Acquisition of these parcels will help strengthen and preserve congressionally designated wilderness areas,” Gunnison District Ranger Dayle Funka said in the press release.

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)