II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1511 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2005 Mr. Salazar introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To provide for a study of options for protecting the open space characteristics of certain land in and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act.

2.

Findings; purpose

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)rising dramatically from the Great Plains, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains provides a scenic mountain backdrop to many communities in the Denver metropolitan area and elsewhere in Colorado; (2)the portion of the range within and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests— (A)includes a diverse array of wildlife habitats; and (B)provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation; (3)the open space character of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is an important esthetic and economic asset for adjoining communities, making the communities attractive locations for homes and businesses; (4)rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of Colorado has— (A)increased recreational use of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests; and (B)placed increased pressure for development of other land within and adjacent to the National Forests; (5)while efforts by local governments and other entities have provided important protection for portions of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, especially in the northern Denver metropolitan area, some portions remain unprotected and are at risk of losing the open space qualities of the area; and (6)it is in the national interest for the Federal Government, in collaboration with local communities, to assist in identifying options for increasing the protection of the mountain backdrop in the northern Front Range area of Colorado. (b)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to identify options that may be available to assist in maintaining the open space characteristics of land that is part of the mountain backdrop of communities in the northern section of the Front Range area of Colorado.

3.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. (2)

State

The term State means the State of Colorado. (3)

Study area

(A)

In general

The term study area means any land in southern Boulder, northern Jefferson, and northern Gilpin Counties, Colorado, that is located west of Colorado State Highway 93, south and east of Colorado State Highway 119, and north of Colorado State Highway 46. (B)

Exclusions

The term study area does not include land within the city limits of the cities of Boulder or Golden, Colorado. (4)

Undeveloped land

The term undeveloped land means land— (A)that is located within the study area; (B)that is free or primarily free of structures; and (C)the development of which is likely to adversely affect the scenic, wildlife, or recreational value of the study area.

4.

Colorado northern Front Range mountain backdrop study

The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies, shall— (1)conduct a study of land within the study area; and (2)not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report that— (A)describes the ownership of the land within the study area; (B)identifies any undeveloped land in the study area that may be at risk of development; and (C)identifies and makes any recommendations concerning actions that could be taken by the United States, the State, or any other parties to preserve the open and undeveloped character of the study area.