| Another Funding Ban to be included in legislation again this year. While we keep working on a complete ban as Representative Salazar has mentioned - not just annually. But the Senate support is lacking either way - be sure to let our Senators (and those running for Senate) know they aren't representing the majority if they aren't opposed to the unnecessary expansion of Pinon Canyon. Ask them to put an end to this now.
"A committee of military and civilian experts already has found that Fort Carson could integrate five additional brigades with or without more land."
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Congressman John T. Salazar
Defending Rural Values
Third District of Colorado
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 Piņon 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 Piņon 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 Piņon 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 Piņon 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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musgrave.house.gov
Musgrave
Contact: Joe Brettell (202) 225-4676
Congresswoman Musgrave Continues to Fight for Pinon Canyon
Vows to continue fighting expansion; warns against members who may repeal the language
Washington, D.C., Jun 16 -
Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave today released the following statement regarding successful inclusion of her language in the Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The language prohibits the Army from using any federal money for the proposed expansion of Fort Carson into Pinon Canyon.
"As the first member of Congress to fight the Army's proposed expansion of Fort Carson into Pinon Canyon, I was pleased to find that my language prohibiting the use of federal dollars for this proposal has been included in this legislation. This language effectively protects the rights of private property owners in Southeast Colorado while requiring the Army to consider ways of meeting their training needs without condemning ranchland. While this language may have some opponents, it is a commonsense approach that protects homes, farms and ranches without prohibiting expansion altogether."
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