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DURANGO — Republican lawmakers announced their 2008 agenda on the environment Wednesday, proposing new laws on the pine-beetle issue and voluntary contributions to state parks.
A bill from Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, would create a fund to remove beetle-infested trees from state forests. The money would come from donations from sportsmen buying hunting or fishing licenses.
Sen. Dan Gibbs, a Silverthorne Democrat who passed beetle legislation this year, said Republicans need to “get serious” about the extent of the problem. Donations from sportsmen won’t cut it, he said.
Other Republican proposals include one from Rep. Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial, to create a new state park pass for people willing to pay extra to help with park maintenance.
