October 16, 2003

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing on my bill, H.R. 1399, the "Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Boundary Revision Act of 2003." I introduced a similar bill in the 107th Congress and I appreciate this important step forward with today’s hearing.

In 1999, I introduced legislation that established this Park and National Conservation Area, so my love of this place and belief in its continued protection is obvious. As you know, Mr. Chairman, I am a strong believer in local consensus and the preservation of western values. The Park and NCA were established on those ideals and I am pleased that the bill I bring before you today continues on that path.

H.R. 1399 does four things. First, it authorizes the Secretary to acquire up to 2,725 acres through purchase or exchange with three willing landowners. Second, it ensures that grazing rights are transferred with these exchanges. Third, it guarantees that water facilities used to irrigate the farmland in Uncompahgre Valley remain available under the Bureau of Reclamation’s jurisdiction for the local water users association to operate. Lastly, the bill incorporates BLM land into the NCA that was in the process of being acquired prior to the passage of the 1999 legislation.

This legislation was originally scheduled for a hearing last June, after Senator Campbell successfully saw it through the Senate. I requested the hearing be put off for a period of time while I worked to ensure the transactions involving the water rights involved would protect the water rights and the transactions were fair for all involved. After working with the landowners, the Park Service and The Conservation Fund, I am now comfortable with the commitment that the landowners have made and am eager to see this bill move forward.

This bill seeks to protect valuable natural resources by working cooperatively with three local ranchers who have been good stewards of their land for years. Unfortunately, these landowners have hit hard financial times and were considering selling off their parcels. Thankfully, they have put preserving the integrity of the Park over subdividing land and building condominiums. Instead, they approached the Park Service and came up with innovative alternatives to selling outright, which required this legislation. The local county commissioners, the local chamber of commerce, and the land trusts involved, support these proposals, and the Park will develop additional public/private partnerships to manage this beautiful area.

In short, the three landowners have entered into either equal value land swaps or agreed to conservation easements across their land. The Bramlett family has agreed to an equal exchange of parcels, which will give them easier access while enhancing the landscape of the Park. The Allison family will exchange both a fee simple parcel of land and a conservation easement, providing the family with more acreage to ranch, while allowing the Park to protect a vulnerable area. Lastly, the Sanburg family intends to donate a portion of their property to the Park for a conservation easement to preserve the resource values that they have protected for many decades.

Again, I want to strongly emphasize that all of these exchanges came about at the request of the landowners. These families have lived and ranched in the area for many years and this bill benefits them both through the land transfers and the fact that it preserves the ranchers livelihoods are by clarifying that grazing rights are retained through these transfers.

As you know, Mr. Chairman, water rights in the West are vital to our livelihood and even the murmur of loosing control of them is enough to start a stampede. That is why language has been included in this bill to guarantee that the Bureau of Reclamation retains jurisdiction and access to water delivery facilities. The Uncompahgre Valley Water User’s Association is doing a great job ensuring that the valley is irrigated; I want to make sure they can continue to keep the farmers in business. My 1999 bill establishing the Park did not intend to affect the Bureau’s jurisdiction in any way, and neither does this boundary modification.

I am aware that the Administration has submitted a few technical amendments, which I will be glad to consider if the bill moves to markup. For instance, the acreage should be modified to “2,530 acres,” as a portion of the property was transferred since the bill’s introduction and the date on the map needs to be changed to “April 2, 2003.”

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge is a national treasure to be enjoyed by all. The park's combination of geological wonders and diverse wildlife make it one of the most unique natural areas in North America. I am proud to represent the area and believe that this legislation will greatly benefit those who live in the area and all who visit the Park.

I ask that a copy of my statement be printed in the record.

Thank you.