ri I I I Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners - . . Phone: (970) 641-0248 Fax: (970) 641-3061 Our]. Emaili COLORADO October .25, 2011 Senator Michael Bennet - . . 835 East 2nd Avenue, Suite 206 - - Durango, CO 81301 . Dear Senator Bennet: . This letter Is In qualified support of the proposed Bear Ranch Land Exchange we supported . recommendation during t:he 111th Congress. First, acquisition of the Saplnero Mesa property the Curecantl National Recreation Area remalns an Important prlorlty for Gunnison County. Second, we recognize the noe of t:he Dinosaur National Monument In-holding and the ?-paleontological resources that are likely to be discovered once t:hIs parcel is acqulred by the National Park Service. . We are pleased that Bear Randr propom to provide funding for several significant travel management improvements as well as the planning and environmental studies to support them. For example, a non-motorized trail parallel to the existing Ragged Mountaln Trail further our deslre to and Implement the proposed non-motorized Oested Butte to Carbondale trail. Also, Bear.Randr has under contract Buck Creek Ranch, a beautlful 811 acre parcel connecting Highway 133 the Ragged Mountain Trail. A new trailhead at Buck Creek Ranch will serve both motorized and non-motorized users, and separate motorized and non-motorized access from the new trailhead to the-Ragged Mountain Trail will ensure?that both Gunnison County residents and Delta County residents of the North Fork Valley are well served by the exchange. In addition, Bear Ranch has purchased property that will provide pennanent public which Is currentry non-existent, to Jumbo. Mountain near Paonia. This 20-acre parcel adjacent to BLM lands at Jumbo Mountain will lnsurethe of mountain and other recreational acces to the residents and visitors of Paonla and surrounding areas. . Federal of the above descr?lbed -reaI estate Interests and Improvements as offered by the proponent for trail and trailhead development dearly serve the public Interest. We strongly support the new Bear Ranch land exchange proposal and -urge you to Introduce legislation to Implement It In its entirety at your earliest convenience. Please note that_ Gunnison County's support of the proposed legislation and perfonnance of its obllgatlons .outllned the agreement between Gunnison County and Bear Ranch, LLC are expressly contingent upon the Introduction and passage of legislation that allows for the completion of all flve objectives identified In the agreement and in this letter. - - Thank you for consideration of our . . SincerelyHap_ nnell, Chairperson Pau Swenson, Commissioner Ph Chamberland, oc: Bear Ranch, LLC Manager Rob 200 East Virginia Avenue-{Gunnison, CO 81230 .