The SLB designated this Stewardship Trust parcel in 1998, nominated by strong supporters, Wild Connections and The Sierra Club.  Under State Land Board policy, the Director “shall review and evaluate whether the new use will adversely affect the natural values of the property.” 

SLB Stewardship Trust Land allows "only those uses that will protect and enhance the beauty, natural values, open space and wildlife habitat of those lands," except for pre-existing uses or management practices.  

Grape Creek’s pristine waters and downstream water supplies, including the Arkansas River, are at risk from mining activity.  Mining for gold and other minerals is not compatible with sound stewardship of this land.  Through the processes of mapping, surface sampling, ground exploration, drilling, and, if the mining is approved, road building, tunneling, and massive mine waste disposal, there is no way that the land's identified natural values can survive.

The Colorado State Land Board had put this item on their Thursday, March, 14, 2019 meeting agenda in Denver, however due to sever weather forecasts and associated concerns from the public, the New Mineral Use at Grape Creek issue has been postponed until their April 11,2019.  The exact timeframe will be unknown until their board meeting agenda is released on April 3.  For reference, the board meeting will begin at 8:00 AM, and the discussion of the mining lease at Grape Creek would have started between 9:00 and 9:30 AM had it remained in the March meeting agenda.  

So put April 11 on your calendar!  We need you to attend this meeting!  Tell the Colorado State Land Board that this important wildlife area and watershed needs to be protected!  There is no advance registration required.  Please be on time and sign-in.

The Grape Creek - Horseshoe Mountain Stewardship Trust Parcel not only has many characteristics worthy of protection, it is also within a greater landscape of wildlife habitat, designations, and proposals.

• Located within BLM's Grape Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern, "a corridor of significant natural character with unique high desert riparian resources, scenic and visual qualities, along with significant flora and fauna values."
• Located within the 35,535-acre Grape Creek Proposed Wilderness, part of Congresswoman Diana DeGette's 2018 Colorado Wilderness Act, and states “Grape Creek is a secluded and serene body of water that flows into the Wet Mountain Valley of southern Colorado. This creek is responsible for nearly all the snowmelt that comes through this valley, creating a lush habitat with diverse vegetation and wildlife... These factors create a pristine environment that is a haven for both fish and fisherman alike, a true example of sustainable Colorado recreation."
• Located within Colorado Natural Heritage Program's Grape Creek Potential Conservation Area, which has a very high biodiversity significance for "encompassing an excellent and a good occurrence of a globally imperiled riparian natural community, narrowleaf cottonwood - Rocky Mountain juniper woodland. Additionally, there is a good occurrence of the globally vulnerable narrowleaf cottonwood - Douglas-fir woodland and a good to fair occurrence of the apparently globally secure but state imperiled Rocky Mountain juniper / Red-osier dogwood woodland. Several fair occurrences of a globally imperiled plant, Arkansas Canyon stickleaf (Nuttallia densa), have also been documented."
• Adjacent to BLM's 21,400-acre Grape Creek Wilderness Study Area on three sides, which "varies from rocky, rolling hills to steep, rugged canyons and mountains.  The predominant feature is Horseshoe Mountain."
• This area contains high habitat and range for several wildlife species, including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, mountain lion, various small mammals, trout, and various species of raptors, including bald eagles. 

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• D.C. Phone: 202-224-5852
• https://www.bennet.senate.gov/?p=contact

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