Laserfiche WebLink
<br />000548 <br />Add <br /> <br />2 --- <br /> <br />land, with recreation as the highest use, and permits such <br /> <br /> <br />activities as motorized and mechanized access and forest management <br /> <br /> <br />to enhance the recreational value of the area. <br /> <br /> <br />"In compiling my bill, we sought to designate the greatest <br /> <br /> <br />possible portion of the forest service study areas as wilderness," <br /> <br /> <br />Armstrong said, "excluding mines, jeep roads, water rights, and <br /> <br /> <br />other conflict spots with activity that's just plain inappropriate <br /> <br /> <br />for a wilderness designation. But some areas, although full of <br /> <br /> <br />private claims or the need for some kind of land management, possess <br /> <br /> <br />such great natural beauty and recreational opportunities that we <br /> <br /> <br />sought a way to extend flexible federal protection with the national <br /> <br /> <br />recreation area designation." Armstrong recommends such protection <br /> <br /> <br />for Spanish Peaks, Williams Fork/St. Louis Peak, Oh Be Joyful, and <br /> <br /> <br />Fossil Ridge areas. <br /> <br /> <br />"The recreation areas are an innovative and practical way to <br /> <br /> <br />preserve the outstanding backcountry recreational opportunities <br /> <br /> <br />Colorado has to offer without trampling on the Constitutional <br /> <br /> <br />property rights of our citizens. Families with small children will <br /> <br /> <br />be able to visit and camp in these areas, and because motorized <br /> <br /> <br />vehicles may be allowed, the elderly and handicapped will be able to <br /> <br /> <br />experience the thousands of blessings of Colorado's natural <br /> <br /> <br />wonders," Armstrong said. <br /> <br /> <br />The Armstrong bill also contains new language to resolve the <br /> <br /> <br />wilderness water rights controversy, which has stalled attempts to <br /> <br /> <br />designate new acreage since a federal court ruled in 1985 that <br /> <br /> <br />wilderness designation carries an implied reservation of water for <br /> <br /> <br />the federal government. That decision is now under appeal. <br /> <br />-MORE- <br />