[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AGRICULTURE KEY TO OPEN SPACE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, given Colorado's population boom, it is no 
surprise ours is among America's most sprawling regions. Ten acres are 
developed each hour in Colorado. During the next twenty years, the 
state's population could easily grow by another 1.5 million.
  Often, irrigated farmland is consumed to fuel the demands associated 
with growth. While farmers and ranchers make up only three percent of 
the state's population, they hold most of the rights to Colorado's most 
valuable resource--water. This vital link between water, farmland and 
the nation's food supply cannot be overlooked in our search for 
solutions to regional growth problems.
  Lawsuits and petitions filed by various extremist environmental 
groups over such rodents as the Preble's meadow jumping mouse and 
black-tailed prairie dog threaten farmers and ranchers with federal 
intervention and excessive regulation. However, Washington bureaucrats 
have proven themselves ill-suited to balance the many competing factors 
relative to growth in Colorado.
  When I asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the decision to 
list the Preble's mouse under the Endangered Species Act, I was told 
farmers and ranchers could continue to work their land so long as they 
do it while the mouse hibernates. Farmers and ranchers need not fear 
the Endangered Species Act, say the agency, if they put up their crops 
between October and April!
  When a member of my staff called the Fish and Wildlife Service for 
information on the black-tailed prairie dog, he was asked, ``is that 
some kind of hunting dog or something?'' These fundamental 
misunderstandings permeate Washington-based initiatives designed to 
control the growth and destiny of the West.
  Sound policy to offset the effects of Colorado's population boom 
should focus instead on Colorado's best stewards of the land--its 
farmers and ranchers. Besides supplying safe and inexpensive food for 
our tables, farmers and ranchers provide valuable open space and 
wildlife habitat.
  In fact, most of this nation's wildlife survives and thrives on 
private lands. To preserve these valuable assets we need to protect 
water and property rights and make it easier for farmers and ranchers 
to pass their land on to succeeding generations.
  We must continue to fight ill-conceived Washington-based programs 
that threaten Colorado water, like Executive Order 13061 recently 
initiated by the White House. My fight against this invasive order was 
victorious for Colorado. Consequently, no Colorado waterways will be 
subject to subsequent federal control this year, but we must keep a 
wary eye on the future. Federal reserve water rights and bypass flows 
continue to threaten Colorado farmers and ranchers. As a state, 
Colorado must continue to stand committed to protecting our water from 
further federal usurpations.
  Colorado's farmers and ranchers are growing older. Factor in inflated 
property values, rising costs and low commodity prices and its clear 
Colorado's farmers and ranchers are fighting for their very survival. 
That is why I introduced legislation designed to keep family farms and 
ranches in the family.
  The Family Farm Preservation Act blocks the death tax from family 
farms when they are passed along to the next generation. While the 
death tax has devastating effects on families (up to 55 percent of the 
farm's value may have to be paid to the I.R.S.), the amount raised by 
the tax accounts for less than one percent of federal tax revenues, 
two-thirds of which are wasted on administration and overhead.
  Furthermore, Congress needs to further reduce capital gains taxes so 
retiring farmers can pass farming operations and equipment on to 
younger agricultural producers.
  While certain anti-property rights groups fight for more regulation 
and government intervention, Colorado must become an aggressive 
advocate for agriculture. Preserving farms and ranches is one effective 
way to mitigate Colorado's booming urbanization.
  Let us not look to more litigation or to Washington bureaucrats for 
the solution to Colorado's problems. Instead, let us pursue sound pro-
agriculture and pro-environmental policies that help our neighbors and 
help ourselves.




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