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| Greetings
from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar Greetings, Coloradans. As many on the Western Slope are aware, the Forest Service, without explanation, delayed and then withdrew the release of the Draft Forest Plan for the Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forests (GMUG). The circumstances surrounding this delay are very suspicious. In a hearing last week, I asked USDA Undersecretary Mark Rey, head of the Forest Service, about the GMUG plan’s status. I made it very clear to Mr. Rey that I expect him to keep me informed of the revisions to the plan as they are drafted. As the Senate passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2007, I was able to include $10 million to purchase communications packages capable of linking more than 1,000 first responders during an emergency for the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM). NORTHCOM provides the unity of command that is absolutely necessary when responding to emergencies that immediately threaten Americans on their home soil and Washington must make sure they have the tools to do their job. This communications package is a step forward for NORTHCOM, and our homeland security. The Senate also unanimously approved my vision for an Office of Rural Health Care in the Department of Veterans Affairs. This idea grew out of a Veterans Affairs Committee field hearing I chaired last year in Grand Junction. Veterans living in Colorado’s rural communities expressed their concerns about the V.A.’s failure to recognize the special circumstances of the regions where they made their homes. More than six million of America’s veterans live in rural communities where they face unique challenges and concerns, and this is a positive step forward. To continue building on this success, I and my brother, Congressman John Salazar, hosted a successful “VA Enrollment Day” on Thursday August 10 at the American Legion Post #62 in Craig. Veterans in northwest Colorado came and asked questions about eligibility, benefits, and services the V.A. has promised them, as well as enrolled with the Veterans’ Administration without having to make the long journey to and from Grand Junction. Earlier this week, I wrote to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne. I made a simple and common sense request: that they suspend any leasing or other permitting activity in Colorado’s roadless areas until the bipartisan Colorado Roadless Areas Review Task Force makes its recommendation, as promised by the 2005 rules of the U.S. Forest Service. If Colorado is going to make recommendations on roadless areas, the least Washington can do is wait for those recommendations to be complete and respect them once issued. In addition, I believe that the 20,000 acres of roadless areas in Colorado should be withdrawn from the leasing proposals now under consideration. I plan on using this August recess to travel around Colorado and meet with people to hear their ideas on how Washington can be working better for our state. I hope you will be able to join me at one of my Farm Bill Listening Sessions, to share your ideas about the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill, such as disaster mitigation programs, drought relief, commodity support, bio-fuels investments and trade issues. You can view the schedule for this upcoming tour by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Ken Salazar, United States Senator Working for Colorado Senate approves Sen. Salazar’s vision creating Rural Veterans Health Care Office in V.A. Statement of Sen. Ken Salazar In opposing the “Defecta” bill Sen. Salazar calls for hearing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment for America’s veterans Sen. Salazar secures commitment for America’s ‘precious natural resources’ Sen. Salazar votes in support of expanding oil and gas supplies, LWCF funding Sen. Salazar pleased with Japan’s first step moo-ving towards lifting the beef embargo In the News WATERSHED FEARS: BLM will allow oil, gas drilling on Grand Mesa Salazar secures oil money for land and water fund Pueblo Chieftain editorial: No hasty withdrawal Salazar: Tying wage hike, death tax 'hypocrisy' Salazar questions forest-plan holdup Senate OKs drilling in gulf; House goal wider GJDS editorial: Sen. Salazar can see forest through the trees DP editorial: Pass
bills to protect state's wilderness
Senator Ken Salazar's DC office is located at 702 Hart Senate office building, Washington, DC 20510. He has Colorado regional offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Ft. Morgan, Pueblo, Durango, Grand Junction and Alamosa. For contact and mailing info, click here.
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