Secretary Norton to Participate in McInnis Canyons NCA
Dedication Ceremony, June 23

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton will join local dignitaries in dedicating McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) at 9 a.m., Thursday, June 23, at the Devils Canyon Trailhead off State Hwy 340.  Former Congressman Scott McInnis; representatives from local government, key partners and user groups and the Board of the newly formed Friends of McInnis Canyons NCA will dedicate the McInnis Canyons NCA and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness.  Designated by Congress in October 2000, the NCA was renamed, effective January 1, 2005, to honor McInnis, who sponsored the original legislation.  This Congressional Act became Public Law 108-400 when it was signed by the President on October 30, 2004.

The McInnis Canyons NCA, located west of Grand Junction and south of I-70, comprises 122,300 acres of rugged, sandstone canyons and a 24-mile stretch of the Colorado River.  The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, 75,550 acres of pristine canyon country, forms much of this area’s dramatic landscape. 

Who:                   Gale A. Norton, secretary of the Interior

                           Scott McInnis, former congressman of Colorado

                           Representatives from local government

                           Board members of the newly formed Friends of McInnis Canyons NCA        

                           Key partners and user groups

What:                  Dedication Ceremony

When:                 Thursday, June 23, 2005, at 9 a.m. (MDT)

Where:                McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, at the Devils Canyon Trailhead off State Hwy 340. 

Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance should contact Mel Lloyd at 970-244-3097.

Editor’s Note:  Media coverage of the event requires a 5 minute, ¼-mile hike on a gravel trail, please arrive at the Devils Canyon Trailhead by 8:40 a.m. for setup—event length about 1 hr.  Parking is limited--media may drop off heavy equipment at trailhead.  For directions or additional information regarding the ceremony, call Mel Lloyd at 970-244-3097.

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