House Passes Polis' Bioswale Provisions In Water Quality Investment Act

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis praised the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 146), which passed the House today by a vote of 285 to 140.

"Colorado's landscape goes hand-in-hand with our character. Our economy relies on the health of these beautiful lands and draws masses of visitors every year to explore the Rocky Mountain National Park, hike the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, or enjoy skiing on our hundreds of world-class slopes. It is imperative that we keep these lands pristine and preserved for our mutual prosperity. By protecting these lands, we will allow future generations to grow up with an appreciation, respect, and love for our lands."

"I am most excited about the long-awaited wilderness designation for Rocky Mountain National Park. I cosponsored, as one of my first acts in Congress, legislation that would give this prized jewel of Colorado, the wilderness designation it deserves. Work on the wilderness status designation of Rocky Mountain National Park began decades ago, and I am proud to have been a part of making this long effort move closer to fruition."

The omnibus public lands bill will put into place many needed reforms, wilderness and lands protections, and updates to our historically underfunded public lands management system. The bill contains land protection legislation from across the country and will permanently protect more than two million acres of wilderness, 1,000 miles of Wild and Scenic rivers, and finally codify the 26-million-acre National Landscape Conservation System.

In Colorado, the bill would protect many treasured locations and recreational destinations including the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, the Baca National Wildlife Refuge and Indian Peaks Wilderness expansion and would establish the Sangre De Cristo, Cache La Poudre River, and South Park National Heritage Areas.

A complete list of Senate and House provisions included H.R. 146, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, is available at http://polis.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Omnibuspubliclandsprovisions.pdf.

Video and text of Polis floor speech is available on his website at www.polis.house.gov.

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