Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar isn’t clocking out early, as Tuesday marks the opening session of the 111th Congress.
With about two weeks left on the job as Colorado’s senior senator before his confirmation as interior secretary, Salazar said he is confident about several of his legislative bills protecting Colorado’s energy, natural resources and the environment.
“I’m working to get these items across the finish line,” Salazar said at a news conference Sunday. He added that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has committed to seeing the bills through.
When Congress resumed in November, the top priority was the economy, delaying action on the public land bills. This time around, Salazar said the bills will be among the first in the legislative session.
“I have high expectations from the strong Republican and Democratic support that, perhaps even in this week,” the bills will pass, he said.
The bills deal with Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Arkansas Valley Conduit Authorization, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, South Park National Heritage Area, Baca National Wildlife Refuge Management, Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation, Northern Front Range Backdrop Study and Upper Colorado River Basin Fund acts.
The bills passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and were included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008.
Salazar also said he is working with Sen. Mark Udall to provide recommendations on a U.S. attorney, a U.S. marshall and on nominations to fill the two vacancies on the U.S. District Court.
“We are working with deliberate haste,” Salazar said, although he did not disclose any potential candidates. “We are in the process of moving those names forward.”
On his newly named replacement in the Senate, Michael Bennet, Salazar said he is working closely with the soon-to-be former Denver Public Schools superintendent to ensure a smooth transition.
“It’s important to be inclusive,” Salazar said. “We are working hand to glove to make sure nothing is missed as I pass this baton.”
Salazar’s confirmation hearing as secretary of the Interior Department in the Obama administration is scheduled for Jan. 15.
“There is a lot to be done before the inauguration,” Salazar said.
Sally S. Ho: 303-954-1638 or sho@denverpost.com
Pending legislation
Bills supported by Sen. Ken Salazar:
• The Arkansas Valley Conduit Authorization Act establishes a 35 percent federal cost share for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a proposed 130-mile water delivery system from Pueblo Dam.
• The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Act designates 210,000 acres of federally owned land on the Uncompahgre Plateau as the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
• The Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Area Act designates 249,339 acres in the park as wilderness.
• The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Act includes Conejos, Costilla and Alamosa counties.
• The South Park National Heritage Area Act includes 19 ranches and 17,000 acres of wetlands and agricultural lands in the headwaters of the South Platte River.
• The Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act authorizes federal funding to rehabilitate the Jackson Gulch irrigation canal near Mancos.
• The Northern Front Range Backdrop Study Act identifies ways to protect natural resources and open spaces near the Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest.
• The Baca National Wildlife Refuge Management Act defines the purpose of the refuge as one “to restore, enhance, and maintain wetland, upland, riparian, and other habitats for native wildlife, plant, and fish species in the San Luis Valley.”
• The Upper Colorado River Basin Fund Act provides funding to continue endangered fish recovery implementation programs.
Sally S. Ho, The Denver Post
