Saving history

The Pueblo County commissioners have asked a federal agency to intervene and oppose the Army’s training operations at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

The request came in a letter to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The council provides the means for citizens to help safeguard historic sites by filing request for agency involvement. The agency can require federal departments to report how they are protecting historic artifacts under their supervision.

While Fort Carson long has maintained it has worked to protect sensitive sites at the training area, officials there acknowledged that some damage occurred during a brigade training session there last summer. The training area has a number of sites relating to Indian activities and encampments.

The county commissioners made their request after hearing a presentation from Not 1 More Acre!, a coalition of ranchers and other opponents of the Army’s attempt to expand the training area. The commissioners realize that the economic health of the Arkansas Valley’s farming and ranching industry is vital for Pueblo’s own economic vitality.

All who care about this region’s rich cultural history should thank the commissioners for their involvement

The Pueblo Chieftain Editorial 12/26/2010