Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to a completely partisan bill in H.R. 2546, legislation that grows the reach of the Federal Government and strong-arms local stakeholders.

To my colleagues in California and Colorado who are involuntarily affected by this legislation, I stand with you.

Like them, I represent a vast district with significant Federal lands. Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District is the size of West Virginia. It features two national forests, a national park, a wild and scenic river, and a wilderness area.

Like them, I have a colleague from an urban area in my State legislating in my district, as if they know what is best for our constituents and we don't.

About a month ago, a colleague representing part of the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul introduced a mineral withdrawal, putting over 235,000 acres off-limits. In northern Minnesota, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools sharply rebuked this legislation, as the bill promises to deprive schools of millions of dollars in potential revenue.

In Colorado, H.R. 2546 is opposed by Mesa, Garfield, and Montezuma Counties because of their concern about the impacts this expansion can have on their rural communities.

What many in Washington, D.C., and Representatives of urban areas fail to recognize is how much this bill affects the daily lives of rural constituencies.

For example, this bill will disallow proper forest management. Why not let our loggers clear the timber that leads to forest fires?

It will disallow recreational activities like mountain biking. Why would we stop activities like that that help grow our local tourism industries?

The National Guard Bureau is concerned about the high-altitude training in this area. Why would we impede the readiness of our military?

Mr. Chairman, the trend of rejecting the input of local Members of Congress and local stakeholders is troubling. Whether it be in California, Colorado, or my great State of Minnesota, all our constituents ask for is to have a seat at the table and their voices heard.

Please oppose this bill and send a message that locals affected by Washington, D.C., legislation need to be heard.

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