[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ARAPAHO AND ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FORESTS LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
bill, which would expedite an exchange of lands between the city of 
Golden, Colorado and the Federal Government.
  The bill was introduced by Colorado's senior Senator, Ben Nighthorse 
Campbell. The House passed a similar measure last year. I joined my 
colleague from Colorado, Mr. Beauprez, in introducing the House 
version.
  Under the bill, the city of Golden will receive about 9.84 acres that 
now are part of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The City 
needs the land to construct a short pipeline--about 125 feet long--to 
bring water into a storage facility where it will be held for use by 
the city and its residents.
  In return, the City will transfer to the United States several 
parcels of land that are now inholdings within National Forest 
boundaries.
  These inholdings include lands near Argentine Pass, which straddles 
the divide between Clear Creek County and Summit County and are crossed 
by the Continental Divide Trail. Adding those lands to the National 
Forest will reduce possible conflicts and increase public access to 
areas of high recreational value. So, this exchange is not only in the 
interests of the city of Golden and its residents, but in the public 
interest as well.
  The bill also includes a provision under which the City would be 
authorized to start work on the pipeline while the exchange proceeds, 
and further provides that if for some reason the exchange cannot be 
completed, the city will buy the lands that are needed for the 
pipeline.
  I want to thank the leadership of the Resources Committee, especially 
Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall for making it possible for the 
bill to be on the House floor today.
  It is a modest bill but one that is very important for the city of 
Golden and its residents. It is bipartisan and non-controversial, and I 
urge the House to agree to its passage so it can go to the president to 
be signed into law without further delay.

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