Allard Testifies in Support of Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Bill

Press Release

ALLARD TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK WILDERNESS BILL

Allard Emphasizes the Need for Protection of the Grand Ditch

U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands regarding S. 1380, the consensus Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness legislation, which will designate nearly 250,000 acres of Rocky Mountain National Park as wilderness. Allard and fellow Colorado Senator Ken Salazar (D) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

A portion of Allard's remarks to the subcommittee are below:

"This legislation is the result of more than a year of negotiations between members of the Colorado Delegation. It is a carefully crafted bill involving thousands of hours of work with citizens, local elected officials and the environmental community.

"The protection of this water infrastructure is a key component of this compromise legislation. If we do not recognize and protect the water provided by the Grand Ditch this bill cannot move forward. Protecting this water is vital to preserving this area's agricultural heritage and its future as well as green acres and preserved habitat outside of Rocky Mountain National Park."

A brief recap of S. 1380:
• Designates 249,339 acres in RMNP as wilderness;
• Guarantees that the backcountry of RMNP will be managed so that future generations will experience the park as we know it today
• Allows for the National Park Service to continue bark beetle and fire mitigation efforts as well as emergency response actions;
• Ensures wilderness designation will not affect water rights connected to the Colorado Big Thompson Project or the Grand River Ditch; and
• Allows possible construction of a bike trail near Grand Lake.

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