Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which is the companion to a House bill, H.R. 774, introduced by our colleague, Mrs. Musgrave, that I have cosponsored with my Colorado colleagues Mr. Beauprez and Mr. Tancredo.

It directs the Secretary of Interior to enter into a land exchange to benefit Rocky Mountain National Park, and adjusts the boundary of the park in order to facilitate that exchange.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado's outstanding natural treasures. Established by Congress in 1915, it includes about 266,000 acres whose spectacular high alpine scenery and abundant wildlife attract over 3 million visitors annually.

Not all the land within the park's boundaries is owned by the United States. One private inholding is the historic McGregor Ranch. Part of that ranch is a private access road that hikers and rock climbers have been using to reach the Twin Owls Trailhead just inside the park boundary and from there to visit various parts of the park.

Over the last 20 years the popularity of the Twin Owls trailhead has grown steadily and in recent years overflow parking from the trailhead has had adverse effects on the ranch while the increase in traffic on the one-lane access road has diminished the historic character of the area.

For several years the National Park Service, NPS, and the McGregor Ranch have been working to find a solution to the traffic and parking problems. In 2003, after a process that involved public participation and an environmental assessment, the NPS decided to relocate the Twin Owls parking lot to the east end of the McGregor Ranch, a location well away from the historic homestead. Construction of a new access road and a larger parking lot for the trailhead is planned at the new location.

In order to enforce NPS regulations on the new access road and at the new trailhead, the land must be located within the park boundary. This legislation is necessary to authorize the land exchange and to adjust the park boundary to include the newly acquired lands.

Under the bill, the McGregor Trust--owner of the ranch--will convey 5.9 acres of land to the NPS to facilitate the construction and management of the new facilities. In exchange, the McGregor Trust will acquire up to 70 acres to be used for the purpose of growing hay and cattle.

The difference in the acreages reflects a difference in market value. The land now held by the ranch, which will be transferred to the United States, is suitable for residential use and therefore of higher per acre value than the grazing land that will be transferred to the ranch. To maintain the character of the land being transferred to the ranch, the National Park Service will retain a conservation easement that will allow grazing but prohibit construction of buildings.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is good for the McGregor Ranch, for Rocky Mountain National Park, and for the public. I urge its approval.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 55) to adjust the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, S. 55 is identical to H.R. 774, which I introduced earlier this year. S. 55 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to accept a conveyance of 5.9 acres and in return convey approximately 70 acres to the MacGregor Ranch Trust in order to consolidate trailheads and improve visitor access in Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park is the fifth most visited park in the system. With the popularity of Rocky Mountain National Park, the park officials must continuously find ways to improve visitor access and enjoyment.

For this reason, Senator Allard and I introduced the Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005. This is a straightforward piece of legislation, and it is legislation that is needed to enhance enjoyment and ease of access to a popular trailhead.

S. 55 would convey three strategic pieces of land to the park system from the MacGregor ranch, a historic working cattle ranch that is located within the boundary of the park. The new parcels of land would be used to build a new parking lot and road to offer improved access for the public, while protecting the historic integrity of the ranch.

The MacGregor ranch would, in turn, receive much-needed grazing land. I believe this is a long-term solution for both the park and the MacGregor ranch.

Madam Speaker, S. 55 is supported by the majority and the minority, and I urge passage of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, as the majority has explained, S. 55 provides for a land exchange at Rocky Mountain National Park in order to facilitate the relocation of a park trailhead.

Madam Speaker, the proposed exchange will include private property within the park that will further the public use and enjoyment of a popular hiking trail. In addition, the legislation requires that a conservation easement be maintained on Federal land being conveyed in order to protect, preserve, and enhance the conservation values of that land.

Madam Speaker, the terms of the exchange are satisfactory to both parties, and we know of no problems with the legislation. That being the case, we have no objection to the adoption of S. 55 by the House today.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to just thank the majority and minority staff and especially Rick Healy of the Resources Committee.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.