[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE JAMES PEAK WILDERNESS ACT OF 1999

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the James 
Peak Wilderness Act of 1999. This legislation will provide important 
protection and management for some striking mountain open space along 
Colorado's Continental Divide west of Denver. These lands, which 
include the 13,294-foot James Peak, are the heart of the largest 
unprotected roadless area on the northern Front Range.
  The James Peak area that will be protected by my bill offers 
outstanding recreational opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, and 
backpacking, including the popular South Boulder Creek trail and along 
the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. James Peak is one of the 
highest rated areas for biological diversity on the entire Arapaho 
National Forest, including unique habitat for wildlife, miles of 
riparian corridors, stands of old growth forests, and threatened and 
endangered species. The area includes a dozen spectacularly situated 
alpine lakes, including Forest Lakes, Arapaho Lakes, and Heart Lake. 
Many sensitive species such as wolverine, lynx, and pine marten only 
thrive in wilderness settings. Adding James Peak to the chain of 
protected lands (wilderness and National Park lands) from Berthoud Pass 
to the Wyoming State line will promote movement of these species and 
improve their chances for survival.
  My bill will designate 22,000-acres of the James Peak roadless area 
as wilderness. This area will be added to the Colorado Wilderness Act 
of 1993--the last major wilderness legislation passed for federal 
public lands in Colorado. Last year, my predecessor, Congressman David 
Skaggs, introduced a similar bill that would have protected 15,850-
acres of the James Peak roadless area as wilderness. The increase in my 
bill is due to the inclusion of lands with Grand County that were 
excluded from the Skaggs bill. These acres were included to preserve 
the integrity of the James Peak area and protect important lands within 
this roadless area in Grand County. My bill also does not include 7 
small wilderness additions that were in Skaggs' bill. I am evaluating 
these lands for a possible future bill.
  My bill also includes provisions encouraging the Forest Service to 
acquire two in holdings within the proposed wilderness in Grand County. 
These lands are a section of State Land Board Land and a private mining 
claim. My bill will also address the need to provide facilities at the 
Alice Township and St. Mary's Glacier. This area is experiencing 
increasing use as a forest access point, and there is a need to supply 
adequate services for visitors in this area. My bill will also direct 
the Forest Service to remove an abandoned radio tower facility on Mt. 
Eva near James Peak.
  As my bill will be an addition to the Colorado Wilderness Act of 
1993, the James Peak Wilderness will be subject to the water provisions 
of that Act thus avoiding potential conflicts related to water. In 
addition, James Peak is a headwaters area, so there will be no 
conflicts with existing water rights.
  As wilderness, the James Peak area also will be subject to the 
Wilderness Act of 1964. Under this Act, activities such as hiking, 
horseback riding, hunting, fishing, rafting, canoeing, cross-country 
skiing and scientific research are allowed. In addition, use of 
wheelchairs, treatment of diseases and insects, fire suppression 
activities and research and rescue activities will be allowed. 
Activities that would be excluded include motorized vehicle use, 
mining, timber harvesting, oil and gas drilling, road building and the 
use of motorized and mechanized equipment. In addition, my bill has 
been drafted in such a way as to avoid conflicts and to address 
concerns that were expressed during the development of Representative 
Skaggs' bill. Specifically, my bill addresses the following issues:
  Private Lands. My bill is drawn to avoid potential conflicts with 
private interests by excluding private lands and facilities.
  Recreation: My bill does not include the Rollins Pass road between 
the James Peak roadless area and the existing Indian Peaks Wilderness 
Area to the north. This road is used for recreational access for 
mountain bikers and snowmobiles. In addition, areas along the proposed 
western boundary within Grand County have been excluded from my bill to 
address recreational access to area and trails used by mountain bikers 
and snowmobiles. These areas include the Jim Creek drainage and the 
area south of the Rollins Pass road on the Grand County side.
  Search and Rescue. As already provided by the Wilderness Act, 
activities related to the health and safety of persons within the area 
will be allowed, including the need to use mechanized equipment to 
perform search and rescue activities.
  Timer and minerals. About one-third of the area is timbered--or 
8,300-acres--and one-third of this is old growth. Steep slopes and lack 
of road make the area's timber uneconomic to harvest. The area has low 
mineral potential.
  Grazing. The area contains only one active grazing allotment with a 
yearly stocking level of 60 cows and calves. Under the Wilderness Act 
grazing can continue.

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