[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BROWNS CANYON WILDERNESS ACT

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I today reiterate my support for the 
permanent protection of one of our Nation's most spectacular sections 
of canyon country. Browns Canyon, CO, along the Arkansas River, is a 
beloved stretch of wilderness that is deserving of permanent protection 
under the 1964 Wilderness Act.
  The 20,000 acres of wilderness in Browns Canyon are pristine, 
dramatic, and worthy of wilderness designation. My colleague from 
Colorado, Representative Joel Hefley, has done heroic work over the 
last several years to craft a wilderness bill that protects these lands 
and meets the needs of the local communities. Thanks to his diligent 
work, they are eager to see Congress pass the Browns Canyon Wilderness 
Act as soon as possible.
  Over the last several months, I have been working hard to pass this 
bill. I have worked with Representative Hefley to adjust the bill's 
water rights language and, should we take the Senate version of this 
bill up, I will work to include language that will bring it in line 
with an updated House version, which includes the agreed-to water 
rights language.
  With only a few days left in this session, it is high time we act on 
this bill. The Browns Canyon Wilderness Act is a great example of 
Representative Hefley's sensible, pragmatic work, and we should make 
this wilderness designation a part of his legacy.
  Mr. President, for the sake of our retiring colleague and for the 
benefit of Colorado's wild places, I hope we can get this bill to the 
President's desk as soon as possible.

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