[Senate Report 113-292]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 632
113th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 113-292
======================================================================
HERMOSA CREEK WATERSHED PROTECTION ACT
_______
December 10, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Landrieu, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 841]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 841) to designate certain Federal land in
the San Juan National Forest in the State of Colorado as
wilderness, and for other purposes, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that
the bill, as amended, do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act
of 2014''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Durango,
Colorado.
(2) County.--The term ``County'' means La Plata County,
Colorado.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Agriculture.
(4) Special management area.--The term ``Special Management
Area'' means the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area
designated by section 3(a).
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Colorado.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF HERMOSA CREEK SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA.
(a) Designation.--Subject to valid existing rights, certain Federal
land in the San Juan National Forest comprising approximately 70,650
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Hermosa
Creek Special Management Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek Wilderness
Area'' and dated November 12, 2014, is designated as the ``Hermosa
Creek Special Management Area''.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Special Management Area is to
conserve and protect for the benefit of present and future generations
the watershed, geological, cultural, natural, scientific, recreational,
wildlife, riparian, historical, educational, and scenic resources of
the Special Management Area.
(c) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the Special
Management Area--
(A) in a manner that conserves, protects, and manages
the resources of the Special Management Area described
in subsection (b); and
(B) in accordance with--
(i) the National Forest Management Act of
1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.);
(ii) this Act; and
(iii) any other applicable laws.
(2) Uses.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only such
uses of the Special Management Area as the Secretary
determines would further the purposes described in
subsection (b).
(B) Motorized and mechanized vehicles.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause
(ii) and as needed for administrative purposes
or to respond to an emergency, the use of
motorized or mechanized vehicles in the Special
Management Area shall be permitted only on
roads and trails designated by the Secretary
for use by those vehicles.
(ii) Oversnow vehicles.--The Secretary shall
authorize the use of snowmobiles and other
oversnow vehicles within the Special Management
Area--
(I) when there exists adequate snow
coverage; and
(II) subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary may
require.
(C) Grazing.--The Secretary shall permit grazing
within the Special Management Area, if established
before the date of enactment of this Act, subject to
all applicable laws (including regulations) and
Executive orders.
(D) Prohibited activities.--Within the area of the
Special Management Area identified as ``East Hermosa
Area'' on the map entitled ``Proposed Hermosa Creek
Special Management Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek
Wilderness Area'' and dated November 12, 2014, the
following activities shall be prohibited:
(i) New permanent or temporary road
construction or the renovation of existing
nonsystem roads, except as allowed under the
final rule entitled ``Special Areas; Roadless
Area Conservation; Applicability to the
National Forests in Colorado'' (77 Fed. Reg.
39576 (July 3, 2012)).
(ii) Projects undertaken for the purpose of
harvesting commercial timber (other than
activities relating to the harvest of
merchantable products that are byproducts of
activities conducted for ecological restoration
or to further the purposes described in this
Act).
(d) State and Federal Water Management.--Nothing in this section
affects the potential for development, operation, or maintenance of a
water storage reservoir at the site in the Special Management Area that
is identified in--
(1) pages 17 through 20 of the Statewide Water Supply
Initiative studies prepared by the Colorado Water Conservation
Board and issued by the State in November 2004; and
(2) page 27 of the Colorado Dam Site Inventory prepared by
the Colorado Water Conservation Board and dated August 1996.
(e) Withdrawal.--
(1) In general.--Subject to valid rights in existence on the
date of enactment of this Act and except as provided in
paragraph (2), the Federal land within the Special Management
Area is withdrawn from--
(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal
under the public land laws;
(B) location, entry, and patent under the mining
laws; and
(C) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral
materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
(2) Exception.--The withdrawal under paragraph (1) shall not
apply to the areas identified as parcels A and B on the map
entitled ``Proposed Hermosa Creek Special Management Area and
Proposed Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area'' and dated November 12,
2014.
(f) Winter Skiing and Related Winter Activities.--Nothing in this
section alters or limits--
(1) a permit held by a ski area;
(2) the implementation of the activities governed by a ski
area permit; or
(3) the authority of the Secretary to modify or expand an
existing ski area permit.
(g) Vegetation Management.--Nothing in this section prevents the
Secretary from conducting vegetation management projects within the
Special Management Area--
(1) subject to--
(A) such reasonable regulations, policies, and
practices as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate; and
(B) all applicable laws (including regulations); and
(2) in a manner consistent with--
(A) the purposes described in subsections (b) and
(h); and
(B) this section.
(h) Wildfire, Insect, and Disease Management.--In accordance with
this section, the Secretary may--
(1) carry out any measures that the Secretary determines to
be necessary to manage wildland fire and treat hazardous fuels,
insects, and diseases in the Special Management Area; and
(2) coordinate those measures with the appropriate State or
local agency, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(i) Management Plan.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a management plan
for the long-term protection and management of the Special Management
Area that--
(1) takes into account public input; and
(2) provides for recreational opportunities to occur within
the Special Management Area, including skiing, biking, hiking,
fishing, hunting, horseback riding, snowmobiling, motorcycle
riding, off-highway vehicle use, snowshoeing, and camping.
(j) Trail and Open Area Snowmobile Usage.--Nothing in this section
affects the use or status of trails authorized for motorized or
mechanized vehicle or open area snowmobile use on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(k) State Water Rights.--Nothing in this section affects access to,
use of, or allocation of any absolute or conditional water right that
is--
(1) decreed under the laws of the State; and
(2) in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. HERMOSA CREEK WILDERNESS.
(a) Designation of Wilderness.--Section 2(a) of the Colorado
Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 756; 114 Stat.
1955; 116 Stat. 1055) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(22) Certain land within the San Juan National Forest that
comprises approximately 37,236 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled `Proposed Hermosa Creek Special Management
Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area' and dated
November 12, 2014, which shall be known as the `Hermosa Creek
Wilderness'.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Any reference contained in the Wilderness Act
(16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date of that Act shall be
considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act for
purposes of administering the wilderness area designated by section
2(a)(22) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note;
107 Stat. 756; 114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat. 1055) (as added by subsection
(a)).
(c) Fire, Insects, and Diseases.--In accordance with section 4(d)(1)
of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), within the wilderness
areas designated by section 2(a)(22) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of
1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 756; 114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat.
1055) (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary may carry out any
measure that the Secretary determines to be necessary to control fire,
insects, and diseases, subject to such terms and conditions as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
SEC. 5. DURANGO AREA MINERAL WITHDRAWAL.
(a) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the land and
mineral interests described in subsection (b) are withdrawn from all
forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land
laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral leasing,
geothermal leasing, or mineral materials.
(b) Description of Land and Mineral Interests.--The land and mineral
interests referred to in subsection (a) are the Federal land and
mineral interests generally depicted within the areas designated as
``Withdrawal Areas'' on the map entitled ``Perins Peak & Animas City
Mountain, Horse Gulch and Lake Nighthorse Mineral Withdrawal'' and
dated April 5, 2013.
(c) Public Purpose Conveyance.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the
Secretary of the Interior may convey any portion of the land described
in subsection (b) that is administered by the Bureau of Land Management
to the City, the County, or the State--
(1) pursuant to the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as
the ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et
seq.); or
(2) by exchange in accordance with applicable laws (including
regulations).
SEC. 6. CONVEYANCE OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND TO COUNTY.
(a) In General.--On the expiration of the permit numbered COC 64651
(09) and dated February 24, 2009, on request and agreement of the
County, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the County,
without consideration and subject to valid existing rights, all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the land described
in subsection (b), subject to--
(1) subsection (c);
(2) the condition that the County shall pay all
administrative and other costs associated with the conveyance;
and
(3) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary of the
Interior determines to be necessary.
(b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a)
consists of approximately 82 acres of land managed by the Bureau of
Land Management, Tres Rios District, Colorado, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``La Plata County Grandview Conveyance'' and dated May
5, 2014.
(c) Use of Conveyed Land.--The Federal land conveyed pursuant to this
section may be used by the County for any public purpose, in accordance
with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and
Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(d) Reversion.--If the County ceases to use a parcel of the Federal
land conveyed pursuant to this section in accordance with subsection
(a), title to the parcel shall revert to the Secretary of the Interior,
at the option of the Secretary of the Interior.
SEC. 7. MOLAS PASS RECREATION AREA; WILDERNESS STUDY AREA RELEASE;
WILDERNESS STUDY AREA TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE
JURISDICTION.
(a) Molas Pass Recreation Area.--
(1) Designation.--The approximately 461 acres of land in San
Juan County, Colorado, that is generally depicted as ``Molas
Pass Recreation Area'' on the map entitled ``Molas Pass
Recreation Area and Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area'' and
dated November 13, 2014, is designated as the ``Molas Pass
Recreation Area''.
(2) Use of snowmobiles.--The use of snowmobiles shall be
authorized in the Molas Pass Recreation Area--
(A) during periods of adequate snow coverage;
(B) in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and
other applicable laws (including regulations);
(C) on designated trails for winter motorized travel
and grooming;
(D) in designated areas for open area motorized
travel; and
(E) subject to such terms and conditions as the
Secretary may require.
(3) Other recreational opportunities.--In addition to the
uses authorized under paragraph (2), the Secretary may
authorize other recreational uses in the Molas Pass Recreation
Area.
(b) Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area.--
(1) Transfer of administrative jurisdiction.--Administrative
jurisdiction over the Federal land generally depicted as
``Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area'' on the map entitled
``Molas Pass Recreation Area and Molas Pass Wilderness Study
Area'', and dated November 13, 2014, is transferred from the
Bureau of Land Management to the Forest Service.
(2) Administration.--The Federal land described in paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) be known as the ``Molas Pass Wilderness Study
Area''; and
(B) be administered by the Secretary, so as to
maintain the wilderness character and potential of the
Federal land for inclusion in the National Wilderness
Preservation System.
(c) Release.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that the land described in
paragraph (3) has been adequately studied for wilderness
designation under section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782).
(2) Release.--Effective beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act, the land described in paragraph (3)--
(A) shall not be subject to section 603(c) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1782(c));
(B) shall be managed in accordance with land
management plans adopted under section 202 of that Act
(43 U.S.C. 1712); and
(C) shall not be subject to Secretarial Order 3310
issued on December 22, 2010.
(3) Description of land.--The land referred to in paragraphs
(1) and (2) is the approximately 461 acres located in the West
Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area of San Juan County,
Colorado, that is generally depicted as ``Molas Pass Recreation
Area'' on the map entitled ``Molas Pass Recreation Area and
Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area'' and dated November 13, 2014.
SEC. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction
or responsibility of the State with regard to fish and wildlife in the
State.
(b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary or the Secretary of the
Interior, as appropriate, shall prepare maps and legal
descriptions of--
(A) the Special Management Area;
(B) the wilderness area designated by the amendment
made by section 4(a);
(C) the withdrawal pursuant to section 5;
(D) the conveyance pursuant to section 6;
(E) the recreation area designated by section 7(a);
and
(F) the wilderness study area designated by section
(7)(b)(2).
(2) Force of law.--The maps and legal descriptions prepared
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary concerned may
correct any clerical or typographical errors in the maps and
legal descriptions.
(3) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions
prepared under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
(c) Adjacent Management.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act establishes a protective
perimeter or buffer zone around--
(A) the Special Management Area; or
(B) the wilderness area designated by an amendment
made by section 4(a).
(2) Nonwilderness activities.--The fact that a nonwilderness
activity or use can be seen or heard from areas within the
wilderness area designated by an amendment made by section 4(a)
shall not preclude the conduct of the activity or use outside
the boundary of the wilderness area.
(d) Military Overflights.--Nothing in this Act restricts or
precludes--
(1) any low-level overflight of military aircraft over an
area designated as a wilderness area under an amendment made by
this Act, including military overflights that can be seen,
heard, or detected within the wilderness area;
(2) flight testing or evaluation; or
(3) the designation or establishment of--
(A) new units of special use airspace; or
(B) any military flight training route over a
wilderness area described in paragraph (1).
Purpose
The purposes of S. 841 are to designate certain Federal
land in the San Juan National Forest in the State of Colorado
as wilderness, to designate the Hermosa Creek Watershed
Protection Area, to designate the Hermosa Creek Special
Management Area, to withdraw certain Federal land from the
mining laws, and to convey certain Federal land to La Plata
County.
Background and Need
Southwestern Colorado is home to a set of unique valleys
and streams known locally as Hermosa Creek. The area is known
for its beauty, magnificent vistas, wildlife, and for job-
creating activity that generates income for local communities.
For example, the area supports outstanding hunting
opportunities and provides some of the best backcountry elk
habitat in the State of Colorado.
Recognizing the need to protect and preserve the watershed
for the enjoyment of future generations, a diverse group of
residents came together in 2008 to form the Hermosa Creek
Workgroup and discuss the future management of the area.
Members of the Workgroup included the Colorado Department of
Natural Resources, the San Juan Citizens Alliance, the Southern
Ute Indian Tribe, the Southwestern Water Conservation District,
the Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society, Trout
Unlimited, and others. Following 22 months of negotiations, the
Workgroup came to an agreement on a blueprint to govern future
management of the watershed. Released in February 2010, the
Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report recommended that ``special
federal legislation be developed, introduced, and hopefully
passed'' to protect the area.
Legislative History
S. 841 was introduced by Senators Bennet and Udall of
Colorado on April 25, 2013. The Subcommittee on Public Lands,
Forests and Mining held a hearing on S. 841 on November 20,
2013 (S. Hrg. 113-342). The Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources ordered the measure reported favorably with an
amendment in the nature of a substitute on November 13, 2014.
Representative Tipton introduced similar legislation, H.R.
1839, in the House of Representatives on May 8, 2013. Senators
Bennet and Udall of Colorado introduced similar legislation in
the 112th Congress, S. 3400, on July 18, 2012.
Committee Recommendation
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in
open business session on November 13, 2014, by a voice vote of
a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 841, if
amended as described herein.
Committee Amendment
During its consideration of S. 841, the Committee adopted
an amendment in the nature of a substitute containing technical
changes to the bill.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1 provides as the ``Hermosa Creek Watershed
Protection Act of 2013.''
Section 2 provides Congressional findings.
Section 3 defines key terms used in the Act.
Section 4 designates 107,886 acres federal lands in San
Juan National Forest in Colorado as the Hermosa Creek Watershed
and Protection Area.
Section 5 designates 68,289 acres of federal lands in the
San Juan National Forest as the Hermosa Creek Special
Management Area.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a
management plan for the long-term protection and management of
the Special Management Area.
Section 6 designates 37,236 of federal lands in the San
Juan National Forest as wilderness.
Section 7 withdraws 13,086 of federal lands managed by the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from the mining laws, subject
to valid existing rights.
Section 8 directs the Secretary of the Interior, upon the
expiration of a specified permit, to convey to La Plata County,
Colorado, identified land managed by the BLM in the Tres Rios
District in Colorado. Subsection (d) requires such land to be
used only for public purposes consistent with the uses allowed
under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. Subsection (e)
requires the County to pay all survey costs and other
administrative costs necessary for preparing and completing
patents for, and transfers of title to, such land. Subsection
(f) requires the County to agree in writing to pay
administrative costs associated with such conveyance, including
the costs of environmental, wildlife, cultural, or historical
resources studies.
Section 9 releases the West Needles Contiguous Wilderness
Study Area in San Juan County, Colorado, from further study for
designation as wilderness.
Cost and Budgetary Considerations
The Congressional Budget Office estimate of the costs of
this measure has been requested but was not received at the
time the report was filed. When the Congressional Budget Office
completes its cost estimate, it will be posted on the Internet
at www.cbo.gov.
Regulatory Impact Evaluation
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out S. 841.
The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of
imposing Government-established standards or significant
economic responsibilities on private individuals and
businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the
enactment of S. 353, as ordered reported.
Congressionally Directed Spending
S. 841, as reported, does not contain any congressionally
directed spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.
Executive Communications
The testimony provided by Steven A. Ellis from the Bureau
of Land Management at the November 20, 2013, Subcommittee on
Public Lands, Forests, and Mining hearing on S. 841 follows:
Statement of Steven A. Ellis, Acting Deputy Director, Bureau of Land
Management, Department of the Interior
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on S. 841, the
Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act. The legislation
primarily concerns land designations within the San Juan
National Forest. The Department of the Interior defers to the
Department of Agriculture on provisions pertaining to lands
administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Sections 7, 8, and 9
of the bill concern lands administered by the Department of the
Interior (Department). These sections would withdraw
approximately 13,000 acres of BLM-managed lands from mining and
mineral leasing laws; convey approximately 111 acres of BLM-
managed land to La Plata County, Colorado; and release
approximately 461 acres of the West Needles Contiguous
Wilderness Study Area. The Department supports these sections
with amendments to ensure manageability.
background
In southwestern Colorado, the BLM administers more than
664,000 acres of public lands through the Tres Rios Field
Office. These lands provide a wide variety of uses, ranging
from livestock grazing and mineral exploration to world class
recreational opportunities and critical wildlife habitat. The
BLM works closely with the State of Colorado, tribal
governments, counties and cities, as well as local communities
to ensure the sustainable management of these lands and their
multiple uses.
s. 841
The following is a discussion of the bill's provisions
which apply to lands managed by the Department of the Interior.
Section 7. Durango area mineral withdrawal
The area surrounding the City of Durango, Colorado,
contains many popular recreation areas situated on Federal
lands, including Animas Mountain and Perins Peak (8,557 acres),
Lake Nighthorse (3,281 acres), and Horse Gulch (708 acres).
Section 7 of S. 841 would withdraw approximately 13,000 acres
across these three areas from location, entry, and patent under
mining laws as well as disposition under laws relating to
mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials.
There are no active leases or mining claims in these areas, and
the Department supports this withdrawal. S. 841 would also
withdraw these areas from all entry, appropriation, or disposal
under public land laws. To ensure the BLM retains discretionary
authority to manage any potential future land transfers or
conveyances of the withdrawn lands, the Department recommends
deleting the withdrawal provision concerning disposal under
public land laws under Section (a), Subsection (1).
Section 8. La Plata County land conveyance
Section 8 of S. 841 directs the Secretary of the Interior
to convey a parcel of approximately 111 acres managed by the
BLM to La Plata County for uses consistent with the Recreation
and Public Purposes Act (R&PP) and subject to valid existing
rights. La Plata County, in southwest Colorado, has submitted
an application to the BLM for conveyance of a parcel of land
under the R&PP for the purpose of developing a new multi-event
and fairgrounds facility.
The R&PP Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to
lease or convey public lands at nominal costs for recreational
and public purposes, including for educational facilities. The
Department generally supports appropriate legislative
conveyances at no cost if the lands are to be used for purposes
consistent with the R&PP Act, and if the conveyances have a
reversionary clause to enforce this requirement.
The Department supports the conveyance of these lands for
important public purposes. Under the bill, the County would pay
all costs associated with the transaction. Currently, a gravel
pit is in operation on the parcel under a mineral materials
contract, and the bill would require conveyance of the land
following expiration of that contract in February 2019. Since
the land proposed for conveyance is currently encumbered by
Federal oil and gas leases and would be conveyed without
consideration, the BLM recommends all minerals be reserved to
the United States. The BLM would like to work with the sponsor
on a boundary modification to enhance manageability of both the
conveyed parcel and the lands retained by the BLM, and avoid
creating an isolated parcel remaining under BLM administration.
We would also like to work with the sponsor on additional
amendments to the bill language, particularly regarding the
addition of a reversionary clause and conservation easement to
protect cultural resources in the area.
Section 9. Release of Wilderness Study Areas
Section 9 of S. 841 provides for the release from
Wilderness Study Area status of approximately 461 acres of the
West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. This WSA is
bordered on the west by a State Highway and on the east by the
Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (a popular tourist
route), making the remnant WSA a challenge to manage for non-
impairment. In 1983, Public Law 98-141 transferred portions of
the West Needles Contiguous WSA to the Forest Service, which
are now part of the Weiminuche Wilderness. The remaining BLM-
managed acres continue in WSA status. The area proposed for
release by the legislation would leave 499 acres of BLM-managed
lands in WSA status, creating interim management difficulties
associated with narrow portions of WSA land, recreational use
conflicts, and artificial management boundaries. This area is
valued by local recreationists for many uses, including winter
snowmobiling, fishing, camping, and hiking. The BLM recommends
the release of the entire 960-acre West Needles Contiguous WSA.
This will benefit the BLM's ongoing management of the area as
well as reduce public confusion as BLM continues to manage the
area for its resource values.
conclusion
The Department supports sections 7, 8, and 9 and would like
to work with the sponsor and the Committee on these amendments.
Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss this
legislation, and I would be glad to answer any questions.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill S. 841, as ordered reported, are as follows:
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 1993
PUBLIC LAW 103-77
An Act To designate certain lands in the State of Colorado as
components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for
other purposes.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM.
(a) Additions.--The following lands in the State of
Colorado are hereby designated as wilderness and, therefore, as
components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
* * * * * * *
(21) Certain lands in the Arapaho/Roosevelt National
Forest which comprise approximately 14,000 acres, as
generally depicted on a map entitled ``Proposed James
Peak Wilderness'', dated September 2001, and which
shall be known as the James Peak Wilderness.
(22) Certain land within the San Juan National Forest
that comprises approximately 37,236 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Hermosa Creek
Special Management Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek
Wilderness Area,'' and dated November 12, 2014, which
shall be known as the ``Hermosa Creek Wilderness.''
* * * * * * *