[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 37 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2128-H2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COLORADO NORTHERN FRONT RANGE MOUNTAIN BACKDROP PROTECTION STUDY ACT
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 903) 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.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 903
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
[[Page H2129]]
(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
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Today I rise, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of H.R. 903, introduced
by my colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from
Colorado, Representative Mark Udall.
This legislation would require the Forest Service to review lands in
or adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and report to
Congress on the present ownership of the lands, and which undeveloped
lands may be at risk of development, as well as apprising Congress of
appropriate actions that could be taken to preserve the open and
undeveloped character of these lands.
Rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of Colorado
is spreading west from Denver, pushing homes and shopping centers up
the valleys and along the highways. This development then spreads out
along the ridges and mountaintops that make up this backdrop. New homes
and businesses in the wildland urban interface also create new
liabilities for first responders and a more complicated management
framework for forest managers.
The result of these changes is the potential loss of many of the very
qualities that attract new residents and contribute to the quality of
life of the region. H.R. 903 is designed to help provide a better
understanding of what steps might be done to lessen the risk.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend and congratulate my colleague, Mr.
Udall, for his commitment and leadership on this matter. A hearing was
held on a nearly identical measure last Congress, and the bill was
approved by the Natural Resources Committee and passed the House by
voice vote last September.
Mr. Speaker, we strongly support H.R. 903 and urge its adoption by
the House today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 903.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 903 would require the Forest Service to review non-
Federal lands in or adjacent to the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
and recommend strategies to maintain open space. Republicans do not
object to this legislation, but considering the current budget
constraints on the Forest Service, we believe funds would be better
used to tackle the enormous risk of catastrophic wildfire in Colorado.
Currently, 42 percent of Colorado's forests are suffering from bark
beetle infestation, which continues to spread and will likely kill
thousands of acres of trees. These dead and dying trees pose extremely
high wildfire risks to Colorado's forests. Surely funds would be better
spent on removing dead and dying trees that pose a tremendous threat to
homes and communities, watersheds and wildlife habitat.
Moreover, we believe that local and State governments should address
open space and smart growth options rather than Federal Government
agencies based here in Washington, D.C. While we commend Mr. Udall's
good intentions, we believe recommendations and solutions to these
problems should come from the counties and the States, not from the
Federal Government.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of
H.R. 903, the Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop
Protection Study bill.
It is identical to a measure that passed the House last year but on
which the Senate did not complete action. I appreciate the actions of
Chairman Rahall, Ranking Member Don Young, and the staff of the Natural
Resources Committee for making it possible for the House to consider it
today.
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 Wildlife 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. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 903.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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