BOARD01800

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2001
• Description: Resolution Concerning the Proposed Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

STATE OF COLORADO

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone, [phone]
TDO: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

July 5, 2001

DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES

Tire Honorable Ben Nighthorse Campbell
United States Senate
380 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Bill Owens
Governor
CregE.Walcher
ExecutlvE,! Director

Dear Senator Campbell:

The State of Colorado supports legislation to establish a Rio Grande Outstanding
Natural Area. As you may know, this proactive approach has a great deal oflocal
support.

The purpose of this legislation is to recogJilize the importance of the riparian
Gorridor of the Rio Grande below Alamosa. We believe it is important to establish a river
management system that allows for both federal and private interests to work together to _
protect the area, without the need for hotly controversial federal water rights. -

Outstanding natural area legislation woul!! provide for improved management of
the area, with voluntary participation from willing private landowners. This collaborative
approach would allow for federal incentives and funding while maintaining local values
and input for this unique natural landscape.

We look forward to working with you anci your staff on this and other issues
along the Rio Grande corridor. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to contact me or Kent Holsinger of my staff. Thank you.

eg E. Walcher,
Executive Director

cc: Colorado Congressional Delegation

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Board of land Commissioners. Division of Minerals & Geology/Geological Survey
Oil & Gas Conservation Commission . Col~rado State Parks. State Forest Service
Water Conservation Board . Division of Water Resources. Division of Wildlife