[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SYLVAN DALE RANCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 10, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and praise the 
Sylvan Dale Ranch for obtaining a conservation easement from the 
Larimer County Commissioners, which will preserve a very scenic stretch 
of open space at the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon west of Loveland, 
CO.
  The easement will prevent development on the land, protecting it for 
the benefit of current and future users. This pro-active, public-
private agreement strikes a balance between preserving open space and 
respecting property rights. I strongly support the ideas underlying 
this partnership, namely, that ranchers and farmers are the best 
stewards of the land, and they are crucial to preserving valuable open 
space amidst Colorado's booming growth. It is my hope other ranches and 
farms will follow Sylvan Dale's lead and take effective steps to 
preserve their land heritage through such common-sense, forward-looking 
arrangements.
  Sylvan Dale is a well-known, family owned and operated guest ranch, a 
viable cattle and horse ranch, and a working farm. Susan Jessup manages 
Sylvan Dale Ranch, founded in 1946 by her parents Maurice and Mayme 
Jessup. Building on their commitment to provide one of the best outdoor 
experiences in Colorado, the Jessup's vision has always been to sustain 
the natural character of the landscape and provide an authentic Western 
environment. Accordingly, the Jessup's sought to shield the land from 
urbanization pressures which lead to the easement protecting 431 
acres--about 15 percent of the ranch's land. The family will continue 
to actively use the land, including grazing horses and cattle, and 
raising hay.
  Clearly, Sylvan Dale Ranch embodies the unrefined characteristics of 
the Colorado Rocky Mountain foothills and the West, as well as the 
straightforward, no-nonsense thinking of the earliest pioneers. Highly 
visible, extremely popular, and easily accessed, the lands owned by 
Sylvan Dale Ranch are a testament to the wisdom of landowners who know 
how to best protect and preserve the land.

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