María Elvira Salazar: “I today reiterate my support for the permanent protection of one of our Nation's most spectacular sections of canyon…”

“I today reiterate my support for the permanent protection of one of our Nation's most spectacular sections of canyon country. Browns Canyon, CO, along the Arkansas River, is a beloved stretch of wilderness that is deserving of permanent protection under the 1964 Wilderness Act. The 20,000 acres of wilderness in Browns Canyon are pristine, dramatic, and worthy of wilderness designation. My colleague from Colorado, Representative Joel Hefley, has done heroic work over the last several years to craft a wilderness bill that protects these lands and meets the needs of the local communities. Thanks to his diligent work, they are eager to see Congress pass the Browns Canyon Wilderness Act as soon as possible. Over the last several months, I have been working hard to pass this bill. I have worked with Representative Hefley to adjust the bill's water rights language and, should we take the Senate version of this bill up, I will work to include language that will bring it in line with an updated House version, which includes the agreed-to water rights language. With only a few days left in this session, it is high time we act on this bill. The Browns Canyon Wilderness Act is a great example of Representative Hefley's sensible, pragmatic work, and we should make this wilderness designation a part of his legacy.”