[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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