John Chenoweth: “S. 588 is a noncontroversial bill affecting Forest Service lands in the district of the gentleman from Colorado which…”

“S. 588 is a noncontroversial bill affecting Forest Service lands in the district of the gentleman from Colorado which passed the House earlier this year as H.R. 985. This bill provides that a 160-acre parcel at Slate Creek in Summit County, CO, will be added to the Eagles Nest Wilderness and administered as part of the wilderness area if the land is acquired by the United States within the next 4 years. The Slate Creek parcel is proposed for acquisition by the United States in a land exchange; however, the current owners are unwilling to convey the land unless it is added to the Eagles Nest Wilderness and permanently managed as wilderness. Since the Slate Creek parcel is surrounded on three sides by the wilderness area, it only makes sense that it be made a part of the wilderness area if the land is acquired by the United States. I urge support for this measure, which does really enjoy broad support of the Summit County Board of County Supervisors and Commissioners, the Summit County Open Space Advisory Council, the Wilderness Land Trust and other interested parties.”