October 12, 2011 SENATOR MARK UDALL 328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510

Dear Senator Udall, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers would like to thank you for introducing the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (S.1635) and express our support on behalf the sportsmen and women who value the quiet, solitary experiences Wilderness provides. These are some of the most wild and rugged landscapes in the country and they provide the high quality fish and wildlife habitat that make Colorado a destination state for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. BHA commends your leadership in shepherding this community-based effort after extensive collaboration with local groups. Thanks to you, more than 61,000 acres of our best public lands will be protected in perpetuity securing the rights, traditions, and heritage of Colorado sportsmen and the communities that depend on the jobs and economic benefits that the San Juan Mountains provide. Its important that we preserve the integrity of our special places as we work to inspire future generations to become the next stewards of our natural resources. Its no secret to us that these pristine backcountry lands are the best places to hunt and fish because they have the cleanest water and the highest quality habitat. As your constituents, we stand with thousands of Coloradans who hunt, fish, and recreate in the San Juans to support the passage of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act. Sincerely,

John W. Gale, Colorado Co-Chair Backcountry Hunters & Anglers backcountryangler@gmail.com 303-746-3570

Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers are a grassroots group of sportsmen and women who are united by a passion to protect and conserve the public-lands, forests, mountains, prairies, streams, and lakes that support our hunting and angling traditions. http://www.backcountryhunters.org