Montezuma County commissioners debate Dolores River NCA, emphasize local control

Montezuma County commissioners spent substantial time on Dec. 23 discussing a proposed National Conservation Area (NCA) for the Dolores River, voicing competing views about federal designation, local control and water protections.

Alan Mays, a county resident who spoke during public comment, told the board that many local people “aren’t fully in favor” of the NCA and expressed concern “of who is going to be controlling that NCA” and whether the committee that oversees it would represent local interests for recreation, agriculture, natural resources and water. “There’s a large number of people that aren't fully in favor of this,” Mays said.

Commissioners replied with a mix of caution and support. One commissioner argued the NCA is a pragmatic compromise that can preserve local influence: “By having an NCA, it does give us local control. We have three years to promulgate the rules ourselves, and we control it, not the federal agencies,” the commissioner said. That speaker warned against an eventual national monument designation that could transfer broader control and water rights to federal authorities.

Another commissioner spoke at length about the history of federal protections on the river, noting that Wild and Scenic River protections have effectively limited uses for decades and that the NCA has been proposed as a less-restrictive compromise that would still protect “outstanding remarkable values.” That commissioner said the NCA proposal would not take private land and instead follows the river corridor.

The board also said it will continue outreach on the topic: commissioners reported communicating with congressional staff and plan to send a letter to Montrose County commissioners asking them to “stay in their own lane,” and indicated more information is being provided to a referenced congressman on the NCA proposal.

No formal vote or binding direction to adopt or oppose the NCA was recorded in the meeting minutes; the discussion occurred during commissioners’ reports and public comment. The matter remains under local discussion and outreach to federal and neighboring county officials.

The board adjourned after routine business; the NCA discussion will continue to be part of future outreach and conversations between the county and federal representatives.