[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1933-E1934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SPANISH PEAKS WILDERNESS ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make 
additional remarks regarding the bill H.R. 898, the Spanish Peaks 
Wilderness Act of 1999, which I had the pleasure of introducing and 
sponsoring in Congress this year.
  This legislation will give permanent protection, in the form of 
wilderness, to the heart of the beautiful Spanish Peaks area in 
Colorado. The bill is cosponsored by several of my colleagues from 
Colorado, including Mr. Schaffer, whose district includes the portion 
of the Spanish Peaks within Las Animas County. I am also pleased to be 
joined by Mr. Hefley, Mr. Tancredo, and Mr. Mark Udall of Colorado. I 
greatly appreciate their assistance and support.
  Also, across the Capitol, Senator Allard has introduced an identical 
companion bill. I would like to extend my appreciation to the Senator 
for his active support of this worthwhile legislation. I would also 
like to thank Chairman Young and Subcommittee Chairwoman Chenoweth for 
their work in the Committee on Resources to get this bill through 
committee quickly and onto the floor.
  Finally, I would offer a note of appreciation and thanks to the 
former Members of Congress whose efforts made today's legislation 
possible. First, approximately 20 years ago, Senator William Armstrong 
of Colorado began this worthwhile process by proposing wilderness in 
Colorado, and in 1986, Senator Armstrong proposed protected status and 
management for the Spanish Peaks. His efforts set in place the 
foundation upon which today's bill is built. Second, I would like to 
thank the former Congressman from the Second District of Colorado, Mr. 
Skaggs. Together, he and I introduced this legislation in the 105th 
Congress, which passed the House but due to time constraints did not 
pass the Senate. The efforts by both of these individual legislators 
helped make this bill possible.
  The mountains known as the Spanish Peaks are two volcanic peaks in 
Las Animas and Huerfano Counties. The eastern peak rises to 12,683 feet 
above sea level, while the summit of the western peak reaches 13,626 
feet. The two served as landmarks for native Americans as well as some 
of Colorado's other early settlers.
  With this history, it's not surprising that the Spanish Peaks portion 
of the San Isabel National Forest was included in 1977 on the National 
Registry of Natural Landmarks. The Spanish Peaks area has outstanding 
scenic, geologic, and wilderness values, including a spectacular system 
of over 250 free-standing dikes and ramps of volcanic materials 
radiating from the peaks. The lands covered by this bill are not only 
beautiful and part of a rich heritage, but also provide an excellent 
source of recreation. The State of Colorado has designated the Spanish 
Peaks as a natural area, and they are a popular destination for hikers 
seeking an opportunity to enjoy an unmatched vista of southeastern 
Colorado's mountains and plains.

  The Forest Service originally reviewed and recommended the Spanish 
Peaks area for possible wilderness designation in 1979. The process 
since then has involved several steps, and during that time, the Forest 
Service has been able to acquire most of the inholdings within Spanish 
Peaks area. So the way is now clear for Congress to finish the job and 
designate the Spanish Peaks area as part of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System.
  The bill before the House would designate as wilderness about 18,000 
acres of the San Isabel National Forest, including both of the Spanish 
Peaks as well as the slopes below and between them. This includes most 
of the lands originally recommended for wilderness by the Forest 
Service, but with boundary revisions that will exclude some private 
lands. I would like to note that Senator Allard and I have made 
significant efforts to address local concerns about the wilderness 
designation, including: (1) adjusting the boundary slightly to exclude 
certain lands that are likely to have the capacity for mineral 
production; and (2) excluding from the wilderness a road used by locals 
for access to the beauty of the Spanish Peaks. Senator Allard  and I 
did not act to introduce this bill until a local consensus was achieved 
on the wilderness designation.
  The bill itself is very simple. It would just add the Spanish Peaks 
area to the list of areas designated as wilderness by the Colorado 
Wilderness Act of 1993. As a result, all the provisions of that act--
including the provisions related to water--would apply to the Spanish 
Peaks area just as they do to the other areas on that list. Like all 
the areas now on that list, the Spanish Peaks area covered by this bill 
is a headwaters area, which for all practical purposes eliminates the 
possibility of water conflicts. There are no water diversions within 
the area.

[[Page E1934]]

  Mr. Speaker, I close my statement by thanking all of my fellow 
members for your time and by urging all Members of the House to support 
of passage of H.R. 989.

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