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State buyouts,'o easements may end refuge try State buyouts of land near Jack- son Lake and wildlife easements in the area could satisfy federal wildlife preservation interests in the area without a federal refuge. Mark Arndt, a Morgan County commissioner and chairman of a wildlife task force studying possi- ble alternatives in an area south- west of Jackson Lake along the South Platte River, said that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service represen- tatives indicated to him that state purchases and wildlife easements could result in withdrawal of a proposal for a federal wildlife re- serve in the area. The discussion of a possible state purchase of land in the area came at a wildlife task force meeting in Greeley Wednesday. The federal wildlife refuge pro- Posal shoved onto the back burner and a task force of federal and local re tatives estab- lished when the refuge idea met with heavy opposition from local landowners. Some saw the refuge as not only a land grab but a federal attempt to snatch up water rights and gain control over river flows. Colorado Division of Wildlife of- ficials have expressed interest in buying land from two owners will- ing Lake. to sell property west of Jackson If those buyouts take place and some other landowners participate federal wildlife interests could be satisfied. I think we've gotten someplace that maybe the threat of the federal government mg Lnd along the South tte River may gu away," he said. "I hope that we're finally drawing to an end hem State agencies are different from federal agendas, Arndt pointed out — they have no condemnation powers, and buying land requires app'oval of the State Legislature. Such a process, he, said, would require support from state legisla- tors and county commissioners in the area. The Colorado Division of Parks and Recreation and LOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado, parks and recreation improvements funded by the lottery) should assist the Di- vision of Wildlife with funding, Arndt said. 'T think they have a te- sponsibili." ' _ • •. The wiltydlife task force also heard from Jay Fetcher, a Routt- County rancher, about agricultural joi6vsts in his area working with wildlife conservation easements to save agriculture in the area in the 6tce of high land rental and sale prices and inheritance taxes. Conservation easements, he indi- cated, help keep property values at a level manageable for agricultural people to pass land on to their heirs without prohibitive inheritance in wildlife easements, Arndt said, taxes. "Your Morgan County Doily Newspop6t - The Fort Moran! Founded 1884 Ames FORT MORGAN, COLORADO 80701 THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1995