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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Slate Representative <br />STEVE JOHNSON <br />5928 LaKeview Dr. <br />Fl. Collins. CO 80526 <br />Home: (970) 223-8045 <br />C.piIOI: (303) 866.2907 <br />8usiness: (970) 667.92JO <br />E~i1i1: Rcpsjohnso@a.ol.coll1 <br /> <br /> <br />MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIRMAN <br />Vice Chairmi1n; <br />Agriculture. Livenod: Ii Nar.ur.U <br />Resources Committee: <br />Member: <br />Health, Environmc:nL Welfiltl: and <br />Institutions Committee: <br />Legislative Council <br /> <br />cop' <br /> <br />COLORADO <br />HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES <br /> <br />'TATE CAPITO~ <br />DENVER <br />80203 <br /> <br />February 8, 1999 <br /> <br />Mr. Greg Walcher, Director <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Shennan, Room 718 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Walcher: <br /> <br />As you know, the State of Colorado has been participating in the development of a Recovery Program for <br />species that have been listed under the federal Endangered Species Act and which are located in the Central <br />Platte region of Nebraska. One of the proposed program elements is the protection of habitat in Nebraska. <br />I am writing you to convey my thoughts on some: of the issues that have arisen regarding the implementation <br />of this program element <br /> <br />First, I believe that it is very important that Colorado protect its ability to recover its investment in the <br />Program in the event that the Program does not provide the anticipated benefits to the State of Colorado. <br />This means that state contributions towards the land component should result in the ownership ofIand in fee <br />title by the state or another entity acceptable to tile state. This is consistent with Colorado's position on this <br />issue since the beginning of these negotiations. <br /> <br />Second, I also believe that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to justifY the use of funds contributed <br />by Colorado for the purpose of mitigating ''third-party'' impacts which are alleged to occur in Nebraska. <br />Moreover, I also question whether Colorado shOl.tld be contributing funds to a program which spends money <br />derived from federal sources to mitigate these third party impacts. The expenditure of money for this <br />purpose will likely reduce the amount of federal funds that are spent on the recovery of the species, which <br />may in turn result in an increase in the level of funding which is sought from the non-federal participants in <br />the Program. <br /> <br />I look forward to working with you on this important matter. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />SI~N&2 <br /> <br />Q'y..,\'(;, \tJ~L <br /> <br />Steve Johnson <br />State Representative <br /> <br />SJlbjs <br />