美國內政部長沙拉薩(Ken Salazar)於8月12日回到家鄉科羅拉多州主持隸屬國家土地管理局管轄210,000萬英畝的多米尼格玆-艾斯蓋蘭特(Dominguez-Escalante)國家保護區。保護區橫跨該州西部安肯帕格里(Uncompahgre)高原3個地理特區，位於格蘭德姜欣市（Grand Junction）南部約20公里處。
沙拉薩在擔任科州美國參議員時，對於推動該保護區預留廣達66,280萬英畝作為多米尼格玆峽谷荒野保護區（Dominguez Canyon Wilderness）的成立功不可没。
沙拉薩與地方社區為成立保護區所精心制定的法令，因顧及各方利益而得到廣泛支持。該法案為2009公有地管理綜合法（Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009）的一部分，於3月25日通過美國國會的批准，於3月30日指定科州保護區為國家保護區。
該法令允許放牧者在新的國家保護區内繼續放牧、保護私人財產權利和所有財產使用權、持續入侵物種控制和火災預防行動，並保護現有的水資源所有權。
沙拉薩表示：「多米尼格玆-艾斯蓋蘭特國家保護區的成立是國内基層和地方領導之間通力合作最好的典範之一。我很自豪有機會參與這個過程。」
多米尼格玆峽谷荒野保護區内有朱紅色的峽谷和砂岩峭壁、溪流、瀑布、壯觀的地質特徵、多樣性生態、考古和跨越6億年的古生物遺址，提供峽谷探險家探勘。
住在該地區居的生物包括沙漠大角羊、騾鹿、金雕、野火雞、麋鹿、山獅、黑熊和環頸蜥。
此外，越野自行車團體支持並參與設立保護區各個環節的立法程序。由於環保人士與國際越野自行車協會努力的結果，總算保留住在多米尼格玆-艾斯蓋蘭特國家保護區內騎自行車的機會。
保護區的法令中指示國家土地管理局為國家保護區和荒野制定資源管理計劃。
該計劃將詳細列舉國家保護區的合理使用及管理，包括一個全方位的旅遊管理計劃。
此外，秘書長沙拉薩將設立一個公民諮詢委員會，作爲土地管理局在制定資源管理計劃時的請益對像。
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today came home to Colorado to dedicate the Bureau of Land Management's 210,000 acre Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. The protected area stretches across three counties in the western part of the state on the Uncompahgre Plateau, about 20 miles south of Grand Junction.
During his time as a U.S. Senator from Colorado, Salazar was instrumental in creating the new national conservation area, which includes 66,280 acres set aside as the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness.
Salazar worked with the local communities to craft legislation to designate the area in a manner that was supported by all interests. The bill was part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, approved by Congress on March 25. The new national conservation area was designated March 30.
The legislation allows for continued grazing in the new national conservation area, protects private property rights and access to in holdings, allows for continued invasive species control and fire prevention actions, and protects existing water rights.
"The designation of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is one of the best examples of grassroots collaboration and local stewardship in our nation, and I am proud I was involved in the effort," Salazar said.
The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness offers explorers red rock canyons and sandstone bluffs, streams, waterfalls, spectacular geologic features, ecological diversity and archaeological and paleontological sites spanning 600 million years.
The area is inhabited by desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagles, wild turkey, elk, mountain lion, black bear, and the collared lizard.
The designation has the support of the mountain biking community, who worked to influence details of the legislation. Conservationists worked with the International Mountain Biking Association to preserve biking opportunities within the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
The designating legislation directs the BLM to develop a resource management plan for the national conservation area and wilderness.
The plan will describe the appropriate uses and management of the national conservation area and will include a comprehensive travel management plan.
In addition, Secretary Salazar will establish a citizen advisory council to advise the BLM in development of the resource management plan.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
