BOARD01800

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

STATE OF COLOMDO

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
TDD: (3031 866.3543
Fax: [phone]

July 5, 2001

DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES

The Honorable Wayne Allard
United States Senate
525 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Bill Owens
Governor
CregE. Walcher
Executive Director

Dear Senator Allard:

The State of Colorado supports 1egis1a.tionito establish a Rio Grande Outstanding
Natural Area. As you may know, this proactive approach has a great deal of local
support. '

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

Outstanding natural area legislation would 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 and 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 tny ~taff. Thank you.

,
Greg E.Walcher,
E~ecutive Director

cc: Colorado Congressional Delegation

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Board of Land Commissioners . Divisio~ of Minerals & Geology/Geological Survey
Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. Colorado State Parks. State Forest Service
Water Conservation Board. Division of Water Resources. Division of Wildlife