Reactions pour in to former congressman wanting Pinon Canyon legislation vetoed.
By PETER ROPER THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
May 07, 2009 12:01 am
For
12 years, Scott McInnis was the Republican congressman who represented
the vast 3rd Congressional District, so it took some Democrats and
Republicans by surprise this week when McInnis urged Gov. Bill Ritter
to veto legislation that could hobble the Army's long-contested plan to
expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.
McInnis retired from
Congress in 2003 but resurfaced in recent weeks as a possible GOP
contender for governor. His letter to Ritter on Tuesday said HB1317 -
which would prevent the Colorado State Land Board from selling any of
its land around Pinon Canyon to the Army - could be used by opponents
to block any future compromise between the Army and ranchers. Pinon
Canyon is located northeast of Trinidad and in the 3rd District
In
his letter, McInnis called the legislation "premature" and expressed
confidence that a compromise with the Army would be reached in time if
the process was not hampered by state restrictions.
In an
interview Tuesday, McInnis insisted that some landowners do want to
sell their property and that expanding Pinon Canyon would mean
significant economic development at Fort Carson and Colorado Springs.
Democrats,
such as former U.S. Rep. Ray Kogovsek, who also represented the 3rd
District, could be expected to criticize McInnis' letter and did so on
Wednesday. Kogovsek was in Congress at the time the Army first acquired
land for Pinon Canyon in the 1980s and unsuccessfully fought it.
"I think Scott's been gone from the 3rd District too long," Kogovsek said.
"There
aren't any negotiations going on with the Army. The ranchers down there
do not want their congressman, senators, or governor opening the door
for the Army to come in and have its way again. They've been fighting
this for three years."
U.S. Rep. John Salazar, a Democrat and
the current 3rd District lawmaker, also joined in. Salazar is going to
introduce legislation this year to stop the future expansion of Pinon
Canyon.
"I'm surprised and thought Mr. McInnis would be a strong supporter of private property rights," Salazar said in a statement.
That
also was the reaction of some Republicans, including one longtime
Republican state activist who asked not to be identified. "It looks
like Scott is willing to give up all future support in Southeastern
Colorado to court voters in Colorado Springs," he said.
That also was the view of state Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, and one of the sponsors of HB1317.
"It's
disappointing that Rep. McInnis, who represented the district all those
years, is not willing to help the ranchers around Pinon Canyon protect
their livelihoods and land," Kester said Friday. "I've spoken with Gov.
Ritter today and he's told me he will be signing the legislation."
Kester
and Senate Minority Leader John Penry, a Grand Junction Republican who
also is seen as a contender for governor, sent a letter to Ritter on
Wednesday, pointing out the state land bill had strong bi-partisan
support in the House and Senate. Noting that the Army had pledged in
1983 to seek no additional land, the letter said the legislation would
force the Army to keep that commitment.
Lon Robertson, the Kim
rancher who is the president of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition
Coalition, said McInnis' sudden decision to get involved in the
three-year battle seems to be politically driven.
"If he thinks
landowners around here are looking for a compromise with the Army, he
hasn't done his homework," Robertson said. "He might be surprised at
how this could backfire in Southeastern Colorado."
