Senator Salazar Meets In Trinidad To Discuss Pinon Canyon
Source: Fox21News.com, by Laura Forbes
August 07, 2007
Senator Ken Salazar was in Trinidad Tuesday, meeting with concerned citizens over the Army's proposed Pinon Canyon expansion plans. He's hoping to find what he calls a win-win solution.
Here are the facts first. The army currently has about 285 thousand acres. The expansion would add about 420 thousand. Fort Carson says, the land is needed for training of soldiers. Ranchers worry they will be forced to give up land by eminent domain. Last week, Senator Salazar received a letter from the acting army secretary, stating that the army will comply with his suggestion to go back to the drawing board.
Salazar says, both sides of the Pinon Canyon debate are acting on good faith.
"I think the army would not be going through this just because they need another headache," he said.
But he understands, the ranchers are trying to protect their way of life, and he's hoping to find some middle ground. One idea he had was taking eminent domain off the table through federal legislation.
"That's something that I'm gonna take a look at when I get back to Washington," he said.
Although Southern Colorado Commissioners said few people are willing to sell their land, they agreed that would be acceptable.
But that wasn't the case with another of Salazar's questions-- whether certain economic investments would help.
"There was some communication from the army that they would be willing to provide contracting work that would mean about 107 jobs," Salazar said.
The idea met with resistance from people like June Roberts. Like many here, her land goes back generations.
"This is a way of life. It goes down deep in our hearts," she said.
And she says no jobs from the army will do.
"Money can't buy everything. And this is something money can't buy."
Senator Salazar also said the army could do a better job communicating directly with commissioners and ranchers, and explain in more detail why they need the additional land.
