[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7670-H7671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COLORADO NORTHERN FRONT RANGE MOUNTAIN BACKDROP PROTECTION STUDY ACT

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2110) to provide for a study of options for protecting the 
open space characteristics of certain lands in and adjacent to the 
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2110

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Colorado 
     Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study 
     Act''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Rising dramatically from the Great Plains, the Front 
     Range of the Rocky Mountains provides a scenic mountain 
     backdrop to many communities in the Denver metropolitan area 
     and elsewhere in Colorado. The portion of the range within 
     and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests 
     also includes a diverse array of wildlife habitats and 
     provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
       (2) The open space character of this mountain backdrop is 
     an important esthetic and economic asset for adjoining 
     communities, making them attractive locations for homes and 
     businesses.
       (3) Rapid population growth in the northern Front Range 
     area of Colorado is increasing recreational use of the 
     Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and is also placing 
     increased pressure for development of other lands within and 
     adjacent to that national forest.
       (4) Efforts by local governments and other entities have 
     provided important protection for portions of this mountain 
     backdrop, especially in the northern Denver metropolitan 
     area. However, some portions of the mountain backdrop in this 
     part of Colorado remain unprotected and are at risk of losing 
     their open space qualities.
       (5) It is in the national interest for the Federal 
     Government, in collaboration with local communities, to 
     assist in identifying options for increasing the protection 
     of the mountain backdrop in the northern Front Range area of 
     Colorado.
       (c) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to identify 
     options that may be available to assist in maintaining the 
     open space characteristics of lands that are part of the 
     mountain backdrop of communities in the northern section of 
     the Front Range area of Colorado.

     SEC. 2. COLORADO NORTHERN FRONT RANGE MOUNTAIN BACKDROP 
                   STUDY.

       (a) Study and Report.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
     through the Chief of the Forest Service and in consultation 
     with the State and local officials and agencies specified in 
     subsection (c), shall review the lands within the study area 
     and, not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, shall report to such officials and to Congress 
     regarding the following:
       (1) The present ownership of such lands.
       (2) Which undeveloped land may be at risk of development.
       (3) Actions that could be taken by the United States, the 
     State of Colorado or a political subdivision of such State, 
     or any other parties to preserve the open and undeveloped 
     character of such lands.
       (b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the 
     following definitions apply:
       (1) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means those lands 
     in southern Boulder, northern Jefferson, and northern Gilpin 
     Counties, Colorado, that are situated west of Colorado State 
     Highway 93, south and east of Colorado State Highway 119, and 
     north of Colorado State Highway 46, excluding lands within 
     the city limits of the cities of Boulder or Golden, Colorado, 
     as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Northern Front 
     Range Mountain Backdrop Study Area'' dated April, 2006.
       (2) Undeveloped land.--The term ``undeveloped land'' means 
     land that--
       (A) is located within the study area;
       (B) is free or primarily free of structures; and
       (C) the development of which is likely to adversely affect 
     the scenic, wildlife, or recreational value of the study 
     area.
       (c) Consultations.--In implementing this Act, the Secretary 
     shall consult with the following:
       (1) The Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
       (2) Colorado State Forest Service.
       (3) Colorado State Conservation Board.
       (4) Great Outdoors Colorado.
       (5) The Boards of County Commissioners of Boulder, 
     Jefferson, and Gilpin Counties, Colorado.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed as authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to take 
     any action that would affect the use of any lands not owned 
     by the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2110 would require the Forest Service to review 
lands in or adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and 
report to the Congress on the present ownership of the lands, which 
undeveloped lands may be risk of development, and what appropriate 
actions could be taken to preserve the open and undeveloped character 
of the lands. This study involves how best to protect the open space 
between the western Denver metro area and the National Forest from 
development.
  This bill was amended in committee to address issues raised by the 
Forest Service, and we urge its support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, we too encourage adoption of this legislation. I want 
to commend my good friend and colleague from the State of Colorado, Mr. 
Mark Udall, for his leadership on this important legislation. Mr. Udall 
has been a leader in the effort to protect and preserve open space in 
Colorado and this legislation will help advance this cause. We would 
encourage its adoption and thank the majority for their cooperation.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 210, the Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop 
Protection Study bill.
  The bill is intended to help local communities identify ways to 
protect the Front Range Mountain Backdrop in the northern sections of 
the Denver-metro area, especially the region just west of what will 
soon be the Rocky Flats National Widlife Refuge.
  The Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest includes much of the land in 
this backdrop area, but there are other lands as well.
  Rising dramatically from the Great Plains, the Front Range of the 
Rocky Mountains provides a scenic mountain backdrop to many communities 
in the Denver metropolitan area and elsewhere in Colorado.
  The portion of the range addressed in this bill also includes a 
diverse array of wildlife habitats and provides many opportunities for 
outdoor recreation.
  Its open-space character is an important esthetic and economic asset 
for adjoining communities, making them attractive locations for homes 
and businesses.
  But rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of 
Colorado is increasing recreational use of the Arapaho-Roosevelt 
National Forest and is also placing increased pressure for development 
of other lands.
  We can see this throughout Colorado and especially along the Front 
Range.
  Homes and shopping centers are spreading up the valleys and along the 
highways. This development then spreads out along the ridges and 
mountain tops that make up the backdrop.
  The result is potential loss of many of the very qualities that 
attract new residents.
  This bill is designed to help provide a better understanding of what 
steps might be done to lessen that risk.
  Already, local governments and other entities have provided important 
protection for portions of this mountain backdrop.
  The bill acknowledges their good work and aims to assist further 
efforts along the same lines.
  The bill does not interfere with the authority of local authorities 
regarding land use planning. And it does not infringe on private 
property rights.
  Instead, it will bring the land protection experience of the Forest 
Service to the table to assist local efforts to protect areas that 
comprise the backdrop.
  Under the bill, the Forest Service will work in collaboration with 
local communities, the state, nonprofit groups, and other parties.
  I think this is in the national interest.
  The backdrop both beckoned settlers westward and was a daunting 
challenge to their progress. Their first exposure to the harshness and 
humbling majesty of the Rocky Mountain West helped define a region, and 
the pioneers' independent spirit and respect for nature still lives 
with us to this day.
  We need to work to maintain the mountain backdrop as a cultural and 
natural heritage for ourselves and generations to come.
  This bill is intended to assist in that effort, and I urge its 
approval.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and 
urge adoption.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) that the House suspend the

[[Page H7671]]

rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2110, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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