Expanding the Boundaries of the Colorado’s Arapaho National Forest (H.R. 1324)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 1324?
(Updated January 31, 2019)
This bill would incorporate approximately 93 acres into the Arapaho National Forest, located in north-central Colorado.
If passed, the bill would make that designated land fall into the boundary described as the Bowen Gulch Protection Area. If passed, this bill would not allow common adventurers and other people who frequent the area to access those lands by vehicle — unless they own non-federal land within the federally owned area.
Located in the Rocky Mountains, the Arapaho National Forests include 723,744 acres of forest and grasslands. Currently, the public can access camping and research facilities on that land.
Argument in favor
Adding more territory to the Arapaho National Forests will help preserve these environments by putting them under federal protection.
Argument opposed
There’s no clear indication that a 93 acre land increase will economically benefit the Arapaho National Forest or Colorado at large.
Impact
People who frequent the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado and it's headwaters, Fort Collins, and related federal agencies like the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Cost of H.R. 1324
A CBO cost estimate found that implementing this bill would not impact the federal budget as: "We expect that any additional costs to revise brochures, maps, and signs to reflect the new boundary would not be significant because such revisions would take place in conjunction with scheduled reprinting and routine maintenance."
Additional Info
In Depth:
The section of land that this bill is referring to is often called "the wedge" between the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho National Forest. This bill would bring that wedge under federal protection, and would give the federal government the authority to acquire or at least solicit the land in the wedge from willing landowners.
Sponsoring Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) has noted his interest in this wedge is to prevent any infrastructure projects in that area:
“This specific area of land is seen by millions of National Park visitors and development of it would not only significantly impact the scenic beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park, but could negatively harm the adjoining Colorado River headwaters.”
Media:
Sponsoring Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) Press Release
United States Department of Agriculture
(Photo Credit: Flickr user MAD Hippies Life)
The Latest
-
🌎 Are You Ready To Take Action Against Climate Change?Scientists claim that last year "smashed" the record for the hottest year by a large margin , offering a "dramatic testimony" of read more... Environment
-
Should U.S. Implement a New Tax on AI to Fund Worker Benefits?The debate As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into our society. While leaders in AI read more... Artificial Intelligence
-
SCOTUS Hears Arguments of Abortion Pill Mifepristone CaseUpdated March 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST On Tuesday, March 26, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the mifepristone case, read more... Women's Health
-
IT: ⛑️ It's American Red Cross Giving Day, and... How will you give back today?Welcome to Wednesday, March 27th, philanthropists and entrepreneurs... It's American Red Cross Giving Day - a time to ensure the read more...