TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending July 29, 2005
S 56 A bill to establish the Rio Grande Natural Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.
BRIEF
“Federal, State, and local officials have looked for a way to restore and protect the riparian zone of the Rio Grande River in southern Colorado without creating a management structure that would conflict with the long-standing water uses upstream and the agricultural uses in the San Luis Valley. This group has worked together collaboratively to develop a proposal for Federal designation that protects the resources of concern and that protects property rights and existing uses. S. 56 will establish a 33-mile Natural Area along the river consistent with these goals.”
The Natural Area includes the Rio Grande River from Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge to New Mexico and covers ¼ mile on each bank of the river.
Education, scientific study and limited public recreation are on tap as well as habitat protection and the removal of some roads. Building water storage facilities are prohibited.
Sponsor: Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO)
Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (July 27, 2005)
Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that S. 56 would not significantly affect the Federal budget. The bill could affect direct spending, but we estimate that any such effects would be negligible”
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Section 1 entitles the bill the `Rio Grande Natural Area Act'.
Section 2 provides definitions used in the bill.
Section 3 provides for the establishment of the Rio Grande Natural Area, defines its boundaries as including the river from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge to the Colorado-New Mexico State line and extending 1/4 mile on either side of the river.
Section 4 establishes the Rio Grande Natural Area Commission, which is to be made up of 9
members, consisting of 2 officials of the Department of the Interior, 2 officials of the State of Colorado, 1 representative of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and 4 individuals representing the general public. The section also provides guidance on how the Commission will operate.
Section 5 establishes the powers and duties of the Commission.
Section 6 provides guidance on the preparation of management plans, one for the non-Federal lands within the Natural Area, prepared by the Commission, and one for the Federal lands within the Natural Area, prepared by the Secretary of the Interior. The section directs that the Secretary and the Commission are to cooperate to ensure that the two plans are consistent.
Section 7 provides self-explanatory direction for the administration of the Natural Area. Paragraph 7(a)(2)(D) prohibits the construction of water storage facilities in the Natural Area. This paragraph is not intended to preclude the continuing use and operation, repair, rehabilitation, expansion, or new construction of water supply facilities, water or wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater facilities, public utilities, or common carriers along the Rio Grande River and its tributaries upstream of the Natural Area.
Section 8 describes the effects on water rights, changes to stream flow, and private lands.
Section 9 authorizes appropriation of funds.
Section 10 directs the termination of the Commission after a period of 10 years.