[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.
____________________