For immediate release: June 16, 2008
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Salazar Scores Major Victory for Southern Colorado Ranchers
Appropriations Subcommittee Continues Piñon Canyon Funding Prohibition at Salazar’s Request
Washington, DC – Congressman John Salazar announced today that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies has included the Piñon Canyon funding prohibition in the committee’s FY2009 appropriations bill.
The language, identical to the 2008 provision, states that “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used for any action that is related to or promotes the expansion of the boundaries or size of the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado.”
“Congress has again chosen to stand up for private property rights and show they care deeply about the farmers and ranchers of Southern Colorado,” Congressman Salazar said. “Southern Colorado is a vital part of Colorado’s agricultural community. As many as 400,000 head of cattle are raised in this region of the state.”
Congressman Salazar requested that the Subcommittee continue the Piñon Canyon funding prohibition because of the threat of massive condemnation of private land and the Army’s failure to make a strong case for dramatically increasing the size of the current maneuver site.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill will be considered by full Appropriations Committee on Thursday, June 19th.
Congressman Salazar, the only veteran among the Colorado congressional delegation, stated, “The loss of so many acres of ag land would devastate the economy of Southern Colorado which relies on agriculture to survive.”
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