[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1319-E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           INTRODUCTION OF GILPIN COUNTY EXCHANGE LEGISLATION

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                          HON. DAVID E. SKAGGS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, I am joining my colleague from Colorado, Mr. 
McInnis, to introduce a bill to facilitate acquisition by the United 
States of more than 8,700 acres of lands elsewhere in Colorado that are 
important for recreational and environmental purposes, in exchange for 
about 300 acres of Federal lands near the town of Black Hawk, in Gilpin 
County. The bill is similar to one I introduced in the last Congress, 
on which action was not completed before adjournment.
  Under the exchange, the Gilpin County lands would be transferred to 
Lake Gulch, Inc. There are 133 separate parcels, ranging in size from 
38 acres to 0.01 acre, and 90 of them are less than an acre. This part 
of Colorado was originally acquired by the United States from France 
through the Louisiana Purchase. After the discovery of gold in Gilpin 
County, most of the lands in question were claimed under the mining 
laws and thus passed into private ownership. The 133 parcels the bill 
would earmark for transfer are left-over fragments.
  The Gilpin County lands are essentially unmanageable, and have been 
identified as suitable for disposal by the Bureau of Land Management 
[BLM]. However, they can be consolidated with other lands already held 
by Lake Gulch. Thus, they do have some value for Lake Gulch, but 
because of their fragmented nature the United States cannot readily 
realize that value through normal BLM disposal procedures because of 
the high costs of surveys and other necessary administrative expenses. 
Enactment of the bill will enable the United States to realize this 
value, through the acquisition of lands with values, including 
potential for recreational uses, which give them priority status for 
acquisition by Federal land-management agencies.
  Under the bill, the Gilpin County lands would be transferred to Lake 
Gulch if that corporation, within 90 days after enactment, offers to 
transfer the specified lands to the United States. Lake Gulch would be 
required to hold the United States harmless for any liability related 
to use of the Gilpin County lands [[Page E 1320]] after their transfer, 
and future uses of those lands could not include gaming. The bill also 
protects the interests of local governments in the lands, including an 
easement for a county road.
  The lands that the United States would receive under the exchange 
include about 40 acres within Rocky Mountain National Park--known as 
the Circle C Church Camp tract--that has been a long-time acquisition 
priority for the National Park Service; nearly 4,000 acres in Conejos 
County--known as the Quinlan Ranches parcel--bordering on the scenic La 
Jara Canyon, that is intermingled with Federal lands managed by the BLM 
and the Forest Service and that has recreational values as well as elk 
winter range and other wildlife habitat; and about 4,700 acres--known 
as the Bonham Ranch--that is intermingled with BLM-managed lands along 
Cucharas Canyon in Huerfano County and whose acquisition will enable 
BLM to protect more than 5 miles of the scenic canyon, with its 
important wildlife habitat--including raptor nesting areas--cultural 
resources, and recreational uses.
  In addition, if the Secretary of the Interior should determine that 
the value of the Gilpin County lands is greater than the value of the 
lands transferred to the United States, Lake Gulch will be required to 
pay the difference. Any such payment would be used to acquire from 
willing sellers land or water rights to augment wildlife habitat in the 
BLM-managed Blanca wetlands near Alamosa, an area with crucial winter 
habitat for bald eagles and a very productive area for ducks and geese.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is good for economic development in Gilpin 
County and good for protecting the priceless environment of Colorado. I 
believe it is completely noncontroversial. It has the support of 
Governor Romer, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and affected local 
governments including Black Hawk, Central City, and Gilpin County. It 
is also supported by a broad coalition of environmental and 
conservation organizations, including the Colorado Environmental 
Coalition, the Colorado Wildlife Federation, the National Parks and 
Conservation Association, the National Audubon Society, the National 
Wildlife Federation, the Wilderness Society, and the Rocky Mountain 
chapter of the Sierra Club. I intend to work hard for its enactment 
into law during this session of Congress.


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