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CO - President Acts to Restrict More Western Land

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  LYIN' KING 
#1 ·
Washington, D.C. (February 18, 2014) – This week, President Obama plans to unilaterally designate 21,000 acres around the Arkansas River in Colorado as the Browns Canyon National Monument. Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) and Western Caucus Member Doug Lamborn (CO-05) released the following statements in response to the announcement:

“Once again, the President is denying Western citizens a voice in the designation of a national monument in their own backyard,” said Chairman Lummis. “This designation might be a nice press release and talking point for the Administration, but on the ground in Colorado it will have real impacts on the livelihoods of the citizens who actually live near and work on the land. But the wishes of the people who are affected most by these designations, who most deserve a say in the process, have been ignored once again. I am disappointed in the President’s continued inability to use the Antiquities Act in a transparent and responsible fashion. This designation serves as the latest example of why the Antiquities Act, first passed in 1906, is in serious need of updating.”

“I am outraged, this is the type of executive order that upsets Americans,” said Lamborn. “This is a top-down, big government land grab by the President that disenfranchises the concerned citizens in the Browns Canyon region. I’ve heard from multitudes of local citizens whose concerns about grazing rights, water rights, outdoor recreation, and the inability of first responders to manage and fight wildfires in the area have never been addressed. It is also important for people to note that national monuments created by Presidential executive order under the Antiquities Act almost always become underfunded, neglected properties. This is because they are created without normal Congressional and local consensus, robbing the people of a fair and open process that stifles the input of the community. And they become orphans once the Administration changes. Does Browns Canyon really deserve this kind of second-class status?”

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#2 ·
Meanwhile:

"Coloradans have been very clear they wanted this protection, along with assurances that existing uses will be protected. We're glad the Administration heard those voices and provided those assurances."

"The people of Chaffee County have been working together for many years to protect this scenic landscape and the important river corridor that runs through Browns Canyon," stated former U.S. Representative Joel Hefley, who represented Colorado's 5th Congressional District, which includes Chaffee County, from 1987 to 2007. "This new National Monument will mean a lot to Chaffee County and also for future generations as they enjoy this special place. I am thrilled that after all these years it is finally happening."

"In December, after the meeting took place, Bennet penned a letter with Governor John Hickenlooper asking the administration to designate Browns Canyon as a national monument, contingent upon protections for existing grazing rights, access, water rights and other uses. In 2014, Bennet co-sponsored a bill introduced by Sen. Udall to designate Browns Canyon as a national monument and to protect the region as an unvaluable economic and natural resource for Chaffee County and Colorado.

"Browns Canyon is a stunning and rugged stretch of the Arkansas River which supports a multi-million dollar local outdoor industry. The monument designation guarantees that the backcountry, fishing, wildlife and economic benefits that Browns Canyon provides will be around for a long time to come," Bill Dvorak, owner of of Dvorak Expeditions and President of the Friends of Browns Canyon, said. "This is why we appreciate the leadership of the President and Senators Bennet and Udall for working with our community to finally give Browns Canyon the recognition it deserves."

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Looks to me like "King Obama" is doing exactly what the people of that area were requesting. Lummis and Lamborn are just another example of people looking past the real issues for the sake some political grandstanding. As has been the case for 6 years, it's more important for these clowns to be Anti-Obama than anything else.
 
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