Sec. 2. Findings
510 words·~2 min read·
/bill/116/hr/823/ih/section-2·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds that— Coloradans value public land and have a long and proud history of balanced, varied, sustainable use of public land for agriculture, energy development, recreation, and other purposes; public land— is an essential part of the Colorado way of life and what makes the State a desirable place to live, work, and visit; and provides for— a clean water supply; access to recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, skiing, climbing, snowmobiling, off-highway vehicle travel, and rafting; high-quality wildlife habitat and migration corridors that support at-risk species and big game animals important to hunters and anglers across the United States; and grazing land that supports the agricultural economy of the State; outdoor recreation on public land is a key component of the economy of the State, supporting large and small businesses and communities statewide; according to the Outdoor Industry Association— 71 percent of Colorado residents participate in outdoor recreation each year; and in Colorado, outdoor recreation generates— $28,000,000,000 in consumer spending annually; 229,000 direct jobs; $9,700,000,000 in wages and salaries; and $2,000,000,000 in State and local tax revenue; the wilderness, conservation, and recreation areas in this Act will— protect— 3 highly visible mountain peaks with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet (commonly known as Fourteeners ), including Mt.
Sneffels, Wilson Peak, and Quandary Peak; and many well-known smaller peaks; preserve iconic landscapes across Colorado; conserve important wildlife habitat; safeguard important watersheds that provide many communities a supply of clean drinking water; protect valuable, high-quality land for biking, skiing, and other road- and trail-based recreation; and provide access to world-class hunting and fishing opportunities; the Camp Hale National Historic Landscape designation honors the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division, the members of which— trained at Camp Hale; contributed to the United States victory during World War II; and went on to help create the modern outdoor industry in Colorado, including several iconic Colorado ski areas; the Thompson Divide in western Colorado— supports a robust agriculture-based economy; provides outstanding recreation and hunting opportunities to the public; serves as important spring and summer grazing land for ranching operations; and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as a great, wild country ; the National Park Service has formally recommended that Congress legislatively establish Curecanti as a National Recreation Area with a new legislative boundary;
Curecanti National Recreation Area— includes an abundance of natural features in a setting of reservoirs, canyons, pinnacles, cliffs, and mesas; includes Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely contained in Colorado and home to an outstanding fishery; offers the public outstanding opportunities for recreation; and is 1 of the few remaining units of the National Park Service that has never been legislatively established by Congress; the provisions contained in this Act are the result of years-long, locally driven, collaborative efforts from a diverse set of stakeholders regarding the management of public land in Colorado; and this Act will provide long-term certainty for management of public land in Colorado, protecting the relevant areas in perpetuity for the benefit of the people of the United States.