Montezuma County is one area in Colorado that has largely retained its traditional character and this, along with nearby wild country, is why Osprey has chosen to base our operation here in Cortez. We are one of the largest em-ployers in the county. We are also fortunate to have right n our backyard the richest concentration of ancient Puebloan sites in the nation. It is to our benefit to find a way to protect these incredible sites without changing the rural feel of Cortez, Mancos, Dolores and the other local towns.

The county commissioners have proposed a National Conservation Area (NCA), and we at Osprey think this is a good start, and a good alternative to a national monument, as proposed by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, as long as two small areas are given a higher degree of protection.

As part of the NCA, we feel it is crucial to designate a small portion of the area as wilderness. This would permanently protect the areas that are still undeveloped, while allowing traditional uses to go on. Cross and Squaw/Papoose Canyons have numerous undisturbed archaeological sites, and are as yet undeveloped; wilderness is the best way to make sure they stay that way — without interfering with the ranching, farming and hunting that is so important to our county.

Wilderness is vitally important to our business. People who buy our packs, as well as our own employees, seek out wild places where they are challenged and can see the natural world on its own terms — they seek out wilderness. At the same time, wilderness areas don’t attract people like national parks or national monuments do, not by a long shot. Popular wilderness areas like the Weminuche in the San Juans are popular because they have striking scenery and spectacular peaks that people love to climb. Places like Cross Canyon, which has relatively little use now, will mostly remain that way as wilderness.

While wilderness appeals to backpackers, hunters and archaeologists, it also allows traditional uses such as livestock grazing to continue. If Cross and Squaw/Papoose Canyons were designated as wilderness, fully 80 percent of the 156,000 acre National Conservation Area would remain open to multiple uses such as oil and gas development and motorized travel. This is a fair way in which to protect the most pristine areas while maintaining our rural character. Wilderness keeps things the way they are.