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<br />wildern'ess areas of the east." I assume that would apply to Washing,ton. <br />(Laught'er.) It says: "Most people fear this animal, but, actually, <br />there are only two or three authentic records of a mountain lion k~lling <br />a person." (Laughter.) So it here kind of deviates a little.: <br /> <br />"They do considerable damage to livesto'ck, but if they are not allowed <br />to become too common, they are actually beneficial. (Laughter.) They I <br />keep the other animals in a natural balance. Where they have almost. <br />entirely been killed off, deer and rabbits have become SO abundant that <br />it would be better to have more mountain lions. They are wide-ranging <br />hunters, covering a territory of 30 to 50 miles." <br /> <br />Well, as you all know, Larry covers more territory than that.. <br /> <br />We are going to give that to Larry, and our Commission will make a more <br />formal presentation at our meeting, assuming we have one. But I can't <br />think of a more fitting representation 'of you than this. (Applause.) <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Thank you very much, Pete.: I might pass on that I heard a <br />rumor that the GOvernor was intending to appoint me to the wildlife <br />Commission so I could straighten that outfit out. ' (Laughter.) <br /> <br />Talking about mountain lions, some 15 ye'ars, ago I was Director 'of <br />Natural Resources for a short time after Dr. Clark's death. I filled <br />out his unexpired term. <br /> <br />I was insulted by the killing of mountain lions in the state, because <br />they are virtually extinct :in most parts of the state, contrary to what <br />the Division of Wildlife says. They no longer exist on the Grand Mesa <br />or Uncompahgre area that I lived in.' So I tried to get a bill passed to <br />prevent the killing of mountain lions. I,worked hard on it. I. wasn't <br />thinking of an endangered species in those days. I was just thinking <br />that I didn't see why people should kill the mountain lions. They <br />didn't hurt anything. <br /> <br />Well, the first thing I had thrown at me ,by the Director of the old <br />Game and Fish Department at that time was: "We should be able to get a <br />license fee for ki 1:1 i'ng those things." (Laughter.) I'm not quoting <br />what Craig said. <br /> <br />While I was never able to get that bill through, I still think it would <br />be a'900d bill. I just don't think we have enough, mountain lions like <br />me left in the state. (Laughter.) <br /> <br />Anyway, I will treasure this picture. <br /> <br />Let's go ahead to agenda item number 4, the floodplain information <br />reports. Is there anything unusual in these? <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: That is quite a good likeness of you., (Laughter.) <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Nothing, Mr. Chairman. They are on the agenda because of <br />the request of the responsible authorities involved at the local level. <br />They have requested that we approve these floodplain designations. They <br /> <br />-34- <br />