Congressman Salazar marks personal legislative milestone at historic White House bill signing

 “This is one of the proudest days of my legislative career”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar joined President Obama at the White House for the historic signing of the Omnibus Public Lands Bill of 2009. The bill contains five separate pieces of legislation which were sponsored by Congressman Salazar. The overarching goal of these bills is to utilize Colorado’s natural resources while protecting them for future generations to enjoy. The bills include the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Act, the Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act, the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, the Baca Wildlife Refuge Management Act and the Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Act.

Congressman Salazar offered the following statement on today’s White House bill signing:
 
“This is truly one of the proudest days of my legislative career and I am honored to have had the opportunity to join President Obama at the White House for today’s historic bill signing,” said Congressman Salazar. “These bills represent years of hard work and substantial input from communities large and small throughout my district. I am honored to have done my part to help make these projects a reality. They will help protect Colorado’s land, water and natural beauty for generations to use and enjoy.” 

A summary of the Salazar-sponsored Colorado land and water bills included in the Public Land Act is below:

THE DOMINGUEZ-ESCALANTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ACT 
       This bill will designate approximately 210,000 acres of federally owned land on the Uncompahgre plateau as the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA), of which approximately 65,000 acres would be designated as the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area.

THE ARKANSAS VALLEY CONDUIT ACT
       This bill will establish a 65% federal cost share for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a proposed 130-mile water delivery system from Pueblo Dam to communities throughout the Arkansas River Valley. The Conduit was originally authorized in 1962 as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas project.
 
 
THE JACKSON GULCH REHABILITATION ACT
       This bill will authorize $8.25 million in federal funding to rehabilitate the Jackson Gulch irrigation canal, which delivers water from Jackson Gulch Dam to residents, farms and businesses in Montezuma County. In addition to providing supplemental agricultural water for about 8,650 irrigated acres and a domestic water supply for the Mesa Verde National Park, the Mancos Project also delivers water to the more than 500 members of the Mancos Rural Water Company, the Town of Mancos and at least 237 agricultural businesses.
 
BACA WILDLIFE REFUGE MANAGEMENT ACT
       This bill will amend the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 to explain the purpose and provide for the administration of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. When the Great Sand Dunes National Park was established the legislation lacked a statement of purpose for the Baca National Wildlife refuge. This legislation defines the purpose of the refuge as follows: “…to restore, enhance, and maintain wetland, upland, riparian, and other habitats for native wildlife, plant, and fish species in the San Luis Valley.”
 
THE SANGRE DE CRISTO NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT
       This bill will designate a National Heritage Area in Conejos, Costilla and Alamosa counties in the San Luis Valley. Flanked by the Sangre de Cristos to the east and the San Juan range to the west, these three counties are at the confluence of Native American, Hispano and Anglo cultures. The area’s rich cultural traditions, fertile lands, and rugged mountains make the Valley one of our nation’s crown jewels.  The legislation authorizes up to $10 million in federal matching funds over 15 years to help protect historic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources.  The National Heritage Area would be managed by local citizens and organizations, but the National Park Service will provide administrative and technical support.