[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ADJUSTING BOUNDARIES OF ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST IN COLORADO

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                           HON. BETSY MARKEY

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 2009

  Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to adjust the boundaries of the Roosevelt National Forest 
in Colorado to exclude 7 acres of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision. In 
2006, the Forest Service notified Crystal Lakes landowners bordering 
the Roosevelt National Forest that due to an inaccurate 1975 land 
survey, parts of their properties were within federal land. Landowners 
were advised they could buy the land from the Forest Service at market 
value. This is simply unacceptable. These property owners already 
bought their property in good faith and paid taxes on it. Many of the 
Crystal Lakes subdivision landowners have owned their property for over 
twenty years. Some even for 30 years. While we in the west respect the 
need for open space and national parks, the Crystal Lakes landowners 
should not be penalized for a mistake the federal government has waited 
for over thirty years to rectify. For the federal government to ask 
these landowners to purchase land they already bought is 
unconscionable. I encourage all members to support this legislation.

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