George P. Radanovich: “H.R. 1129, introduced by Representative Mark Udall, would authorize a small land exchange in Pitkin County, Colorado…”

“H.R. 1129, introduced by Representative Mark Udall, would authorize a small land exchange in Pitkin County, Colorado, between the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and Pitkin County. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives on December 6, 2005, but was recently amended by the Senate. The amendment simply removed a provision of the bill encumbering the land known as the Crystal River parcel with a conservation easement. The remaining portion of the bill would transfer 35 acres, once part of the Ryan Ranch in the White River National Forest to the Forest Service. This property is nearly surrounded by public land and valued by the community as open space. In exchange, Pitkin County would acquire 5.5 acres known as the Wildwood parcel from the Forest Service and a total of 45.92 acres from the Bureau of Land Management consisting of mining claims and land along the Crystal River. The exchange is strongly supported by local officials and would help to consolidate public and private ownership in Pitkin County.”