To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a railroad right of way within and adjacent to Pike National Forest in El Paso County, Colorado, originally granted to the Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company pursuant to the Act of March 3, 1875.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4073) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a railroad right of way within and adjacent to Pike National Forest in El Paso County, Colorado, originally granted to the Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company pursuant to the Act of March 3, 1875, as amended.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am happy to speak in support of my legislation, H.R. 4073, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a railroad right-of- way within the Pike National Forest in my district.

Originally granted to the Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company, the Incline Trail exists today as the roadbed to the former Mt. Manitou Scenic Incline Railway, which was a cable car that took people up the eastern face of Rocky Mountain, Pikes Peak, at an average grade of 40 percent, with some of the steepest sections at a grade of 68 percent. Today, it has become a popular hike for adventure seekers in the Pikes Peak region and is said to be hiked nearly half a million times each year, although access is still considered trespassing.

A citizens' initiative began over 8 years ago to encourage making access to this popular trail legal. Although all

parties are amenable, due to an act dated on March 3, 1875, the Forest Service has been unable to accept the quitclaim from the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway. Recognizing this problem, the railway company came to me and asked that I carry this legislation to allow the Forest Service the authority to accept the quitclaim, which is the last major hurdle in allowing the Incline Trail to be legally opened for public use.

Although several people have informally maintained the incline, no formal steps have been taken by any of the property owners to maintain the Incline since 1997. Legalizing access to the trail will allow the surrounding communities access to repair sections of the trail that are in poor condition and will make use safer for all hikers.

It has been my pleasure to work with the interested parties in helping to gain legal access to this unique trail that I believe will be a wonderful addition to the region's trail inventory. I would like to thank the Forest Service and Senator Michael Bennett's office for their diligence in working with my office in this process.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 2015 and S. 3563, and the Senate proceed to their consideration, along with the following bills en bloc: H.R. 3263, H.R. 3641, and H.R. 4073, which were received from the House and are at the desk; Calendar No. 268, S. 264; Calendar No. 284, S. 1047; Calendar No. 288, S. 1421; Calendar No. 289, S. 1478; Calendar No. 272, S.499; Calendar No. 266, S. 140; and Calendar No. 265, S. 114.

I ask unanimous consent that where applicable, the committee-reported amendments be considered; that any amendments to those amendments, which are at the desk, be agreed to; that the committee-reported amendments, as amended, if amended, be agreed to; the bills, as amended, if amended, be read a third time and passed en bloc; that a title amendment for S. 114 be agreed to; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to any of the bills be printed in the Record.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4073 clears up a deed for a popular hiking destination, the Manitou Incline in Colorado. Upon enactment, the Pike National Forest will have full ownership of the trail, which ascends 2,000 feet to Pikes Peak.

We do not object to this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.