"I think it does not come easily to us to love such a land. It is easy to love a mountain, with its inherent grandeur, handsome profile and aristocratic air. But the prairie's charms take more looking. The prairie doesn't run off with your heart the way a mountain does. Its beauties are subtle, rooted in the hues of the grasses, the undulations of the land, the infinite sky. The prairie is a girl whose beauty lies in her smile." ...Theodore Roosevelt
Without it, county taxpayers will have to pick up the bill. We would have to double our countywide mills for road services and general fund. If public lands are sold, it's doubtful that anyone local would be able to afford to buy them, maybe some developers. The lands would be sold to the wealthy and the impact to county coffers would be negligible. The state of Colorado and it's citizens have invested our nations dollars assuring that our historical assets would be protected. The Bush proposal calls for phasing out funding for the Secure Rural Schools Act. Once we sell these lands, the dollars will be gone. The Secure Rural Schools Act funding would get down to zero and the effect on counties would be devastating.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2006
The President's fiscal year 2007 budget includes a legislative proposal to extend the SRS, which expires on Sept. 30, 2006, for an additional five years through the sale of up to 300,000 acres of Forest Service-managed land. Many parcels are considered isolated or inefficient to manage due to their location or other characteristics. The proposal, which was sent to Congress on Mar. 22, includes the opportunity for local and state government agencies and nonprofit organizations the first right to buy these parcels at market value. Visit www.fs.fed.us for a list of the proposed land.
Joseph Walsh
Press Office, Office of the Chief
USDA Forest Service
Office Number: 202.205.1294
Pager/Cellular Phone: 202.821.6667
Email: jwalsh@fs.fed.us
##
Comments may be sent by e-mail to SRS_Land_Sales@fs.fed.us
Written comments may be sent to:
USDA Forest Service, SRS Comments, Lands 4S, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW, Mailstop 1124, Washington, DC, 20250-0003.
Send faxed comments to (202) 205-1604.
WEB SITES
1. The address is: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/spd.html
| FOREST | TOWNSHIP OR COUNTY | RANGE | PM | SECTIONS | ACRES | Addl Legal Description |
| COMANCHE NG | 24S | 57W | 6TH | 1 | 80 | SESW, SWSE |
| COMANCHE NG | 24S | 57W | 6TH | 12 | 80 | NENW, NWNE |
| COMANCHE NG | 24S | 57W | 6TH | 23 | 120 | NWSE, E2SW |
| COMANCHE NG | 24S | 57W | 6TH | 26 | 40 | NENW |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 57W | 6TH | 8 | 40 | SWSW |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 57W | 6TH | 17 | 80 | W2NW |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 57W | 6TH | 18 | 120 | E2SE, SENE |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 57W | 6TH | 19 | 240 | N2N2, SWNW, NWSW |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 58W | 6TH | 24 | 120 | E2SE, SWSE |
| COMANCHE NG | 26S | 58W | 6TH | 25 | 40 | NWNE |
| COMANCHE NG | 35S | 50W | 6TH | 6 | 120 | NENE, SESE, SESW |
| COMANCHE NG | 34S | 48W | 6TH | 16 | 20 | E2NESE |
| COMANCHE NG | 34S | 50W | 6TH | 35 | 40 | SENE |
| COMANCHE NG | 33S | 50W | 6TH | 19 | 20 | N2NESW |
| COMANCHE NG | 33S | 54W | 6TH | 4 | 40 | SESW |
| COMANCHE NG | 32S | 46W | 6TH | 11 | 320 | W2 |
| COMANCHE NG | 32S | 52W | 6TH | 33 | 80 | E2SW |
| COMANCHE NG | 31S | 46W | 6TH | 24 | 20 | S2SESE |
| Total Acres | 1620 |
People are referred to the web site for help in locating the parcel they are calling about on a forest/grassland map. A map should be posted to the web in the next few days. CNG office located in La Junta Colorado, Phone: 719.383.4356
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment period for the potential sale of FS land under the SRS Act
ended on May 1, 2006, although Native American Tribes can comment until
May 30, 2006.
##
Sale of Comanche National Grassland parcels which are on the Santa Fe Trail are being considered. We need your help to assure that these resources remain public and protected. Comanche National Grassland is historically important to our Nationally designated Santa Fe Trail and contains a fragile riparian area for wildlife. We seek to secure it's historic resources which make the Santa Fe Trail one of Americas Greatest Treasures. It plays a very important role in our ecosystem, economy, wildlife, and heritage tourism efforts for the State of Colorado and all Santa Fe Trail stockholders from the five Trail States of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Southeastern Colorado is in economic difficulty with the loss of over one thousand jobs just this year not to mention thousands more from mine closures and droughts in recent years. Heritage tourism will play a critical role in the economic recovery of our region. The dinosaur trackways, the Santa Fe Trail with it's historic watering holes, historic ranch ruins, stage coach stops, Indian rock art and artifacts all play a vital role unfolding of our nations history.
Above is an aerial view of the dinosaur tracks. Other potential impacted sites of great importance to our Byway are below:
http://www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org/vogel.html
http://www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org/istsv.html
http://www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org/carrizo.html
http://www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org/pictcan.html
http://www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org/lpchick.html
President Bush released his proposed FY07 budget last Monday, Feb 6. Included is a proposal for the FS to sell off isolated parcels of land on the Pike, San Isabel and Comanche (none on Cimarron). The total acres are about 300,000 nationwide.We have a link to the list of PSIC parcels - 4900 acres aprox. The information posted has some corrections to be made.
The potential parcel of land for sale along Timpas Creek (in T26 S, R 57 W, portions of Sections 8, 17, 18, and 19, and T26 S, R58 W, portions of Sections 24 and 25) do have segments of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Please help us to keep the great American Treasure of the Santa Fe Trail in tact. We believe that once sold to private entities- a part of our heritage and history will be lost forever. Furthermore our nations history will be used for live artillery practice. The potential parcels of Comanche National Grassland listed for sale on the Forest Service website do have some errors. Primarily all of the parcels listed in Township 24 South are actually in Township 25 South. Also there is a small parcel of land SE of Springfield in Township 32 South, Range 46 West, west half of Section 11 that is already private land from a land exchange a couple of years ago.
Public lands containing one of America's Greatest Treasure's "The Santa Fe Trail " will be gobbled up for army maneuvers and live ammunition training. Our US Forest Service and National Parks Service have done a fine job in the Trail's stewardship. With the partnership of stake holders and historic preservation organizations, Colorado Scenic Byway Program and National Scenic Byway Program and National Parks Service Long Distance Trails, Coloraodo's Santa Fe Trail is becoming a tourist destination of international interest. Our heritage assets are an essential way for us to achieve economic recovery. There are at least ten interpreted sites which are visitor ready in planed army expansion areas. Hunting, horseback riding and mountain biking will all be eliminated on the Santa Fe Trail. Public access to over twenty miles of developed watchable wildlife areas in Picketwire Canyonlands alone would be closed and used in army training. This area has been restricted to auto use for years and is inhabited by many wildlife species, some which are endangered.
COLORADO AG TEACHERS OPPOSE EXPANSION
The Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association voted unanimously to oppose the expansion of the army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver site at their annual meeting July 13th. The association, which represents over 90% of Colorado secondary and post-secondary agriculture instructors, is against the Army current plan to expand their post at Pinon Canyon by over 400,000 acres. They are also concerned over rumors that the Army eventually plans to expand their holdings an additional 1.2 million acres in later years.
The economic impact to Colorado agriculture would be devastating to an economy that depends heavily on agriculture production. The Agriculture teachers realize the impact of the loss of this amount of production would have a severe impact on the lower Arkansas River valley and the cities that depend upon this region for their survival. The cumulative affect of the loss, according to some economists, would be in the neighborhood of over 30 million dollars. The state of Colorado would be hard pressed to make up this loss of revenue. The net result would be continued shortage of revenue to Colorado schools, highways, health care and other state supported entities.
The Agriculture instructors also feel that with the Army and Department of Defense current holdings of over 25 million acres, they have more than enough land in other desert type terrain that could be better used to give the type of training that our soldiers need.
Lee V. Hollingsworth, Ag Instructor, Kim High School, P.O. Box 100, Kim, CO 81049, Ag Shop:(719) 643-5423 Fax:(719)643-5299
Impact of tearing up the land can be seen in these photographs of
the Dust Bowl,
particularly in Prowers County. Locally, many people remember the dust of
the 1950s. Consider the fragility of the ecosystem, the need to remember
the lessons of the past, and WHY the Comanche National Grasslands exist.
http://www.weru.ksu.edu/new_weru/multimedia/dustbowl/dustbowlpics.html
Army eying site for big guns, PINON CANYON EXPANSION
By Mike McPhee and Dave Olinger, Denver Post Staff Writers http://denverpost.com/search/ci_3786787
Carson, Piñon Canyon see money for growth
By Mike McPhee, Denver Post Staff Writer, http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3812616
"Army takes a shelling: Rural families say expansion plans for
Pinon Canyon threaten economy"
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1147588009/1
Landowners take sides in Las Animas County on Pinon Canyon growth.
By MIKE GARRETT, THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1146981600/6
Army changes its tune on live fire training at Pinon Canyon http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-comnews-1738645.php
Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) Global Security Fact Sheet http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/pinon-canyon.htm
Army training and land analysis http://www.fortirwinlandexpansion.com/SDEIS_Docs/Appendices/Appendix%20B/AppB_Appendices/AppA/AppA_Part2.pdf
Training Lands and Buffer Zones Goal http://sems.carson.army.mil/sems14001/5year_sustainability_plan/11-TrainingLands%205YearPlan.doc
Pinon Canyon opponents to voice concerns New map of ‘area of interests doesn't calm landowners' fears. By PETER ROPER THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1146981600/1
DoD Exemptions- Updated: 01/12/06
http://www.lcv.org/president-and-congress/issues/page.jsp?itemID=28176007
Army Takes a Shelling: Rural families say expansion plans for Pinon
Canyon threaten economy By PETER ROPER THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1147588009/1
The whole story told by Mike Harris at the La Junta Tribune Democrat.
If you have additional information to share with mike directly send him
your story at mike@ljtd.com.
PCMS expansion under review By MIKE HARRIS - Monday, December 12,
2005 4:59 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2005/12/12/local_news/news01.txt
Site expansion considered, size unconfirmed By MIKE HARRIS - Monday,
January 9, 2006 1:14 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/01/09/local_news/news01.txt
SCLA votes against CCA affiliation By MIKE HARRIS - Friday, February
10, 2006 5:04 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/02/10/farm_-_ranch_news/f-r01.txt
SCLA questions legislative support of PCMS expansion By MIKE HARRIS
- Friday, February 10, 2006 5:04 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/02/10/farm_-_ranch_news/f-r02.txt
Army officials: PCMS expansion just in the draft stage By MIKE HARRIS
- Friday, February 24, 2006 3:05 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/02/24/farm_-_ranch_news/f-r01.txt
Are Flying saucers' part of PCMS expansion? By MIKE HARRIS - Friday,
February 24, 2006 3:03 PM MST
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/02/24/local_news/news01.txt
Residents express concerns over Pinon Canyon expansion By Barbara
L. Bolinger - Monday, April 3, 2006 2:13 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/03/local_news/news01.txt
CCA opposes Pinon Canyon expansion By MIKE HARRIS - Monday, April
10, 2006 2:22 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/10/local_news/news01.txt
Commissioners discuss position on PCMS expansion By MIKE HARRIS -
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 8:38 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/12/local_news/news02.txt
Allard: Too premature to take position on PCMS By MIKE HARRIS - Wednesday,
April 19, 2006 5:32 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/19/local_news/news01.txt
FSA closure, PCMS top subjects at Allard Town Hall session By TOM
SCHULTES - Friday, April 21, 2006 2:09 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/21/las_animas/local_news/news01.txt
BP Cattle opposes PCMS - Monday, April 24, 2006 2:23 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/24/local_news/news01.txt
Allard opposes condemnation for Pinon Canyon expansion - Tuesday,
April 25, 2006 7:05 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/25/local_news/news03.txt
Audience questions Army's broken promises - Thursday, April 27, 2006
5:56 PM MDT
Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site expansion causes heated discussion By CANDI MIELL
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/27/local_news/news01.txt
Congressman John Salazar questions Army on PCMS - Thursday, April
27, 2006 5:56 PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/27/local_news/news02.txt
CICA opposes Pinon Canyon expansion plan - Friday, May 5, 2006 4:26
PM MDT
http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/articles/2006/05/05/local_news/news02.txt
CBS 4 aired a show on the historic treasure April 26, 2006, see the highlights at
http://cbs4denver.com/getaways/local_story_116131109.html
What you don’t see on this map is Picketwire Canyon, Iron
Springs, Sierra Vista, Timpas, Vogel Canyon, Picture Canyon and Carrizo Canyon and the significant ecological, prehistoric,
and historic treasures of the Grasslands. These significant features are
endangered which contain a remarkable portion of our national heritage which
are all internationally significant and have been Nationally Designated
as historic properties. See their locations on the National Scenic Byway
Map below.
Towns on Army radar in Ft. Carson land quest, Huge parcel near Trinidad
eyed for expansion of training ground By David Olinger and Mike McPhee
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3782667
Fort Carson SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW MEETING, Meeting Minutes,
12 December 2005
http://sems.carson.army.mil/sems14001/4_6_mgmt_review/management_review_minutes/management_review_minutes_12dec05.doc
Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition http://home.mindspring.com/~weopposeexpansion/index.html
Army official: Pinon Canyon expansion no certainty By MIKE GARRETT
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1146214521/5
Pinon Canyon neighbors seek fed study before Army expands By ANTHONY
A. MESTAS THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1144915598/3
Allard: Too soon to decide on Pinon Canyon expansion By ANTHONY
A. MESTAS THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1145523357/3
Pinon Canyon Expansion Calls For Live Training cbs4denver.com
- Denver,CO,USA
http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_118083247.html
La Junta-area citizens grill Army spokesman over expansion plans By
ANTHONY A. MESTAS THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1146125366/4
Fair shakes EDITORIAL THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN http://www.chieftain.com/editorial/1146471663/1
Army, Counties Study More Soldiers At Pinon Canyon (AP) TRINIDAD,
Colo.
http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_097122546.html
Allard tells Army no to condemning Pinon Canyon land By PETER
ROPER THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1145946019/3
Allard Opposes Expansion Of Pinon Canyon Site (AP) PUEBLO, Colo.
http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_116103758.html
Musgrave Wants More Info On Pinon Canyon Expansion
http://cbs4denver.com/politics/local_story_119142541.html
