Apr 14, 2007 7:52 am US/Mountain
Army Hasn't Ruled Out Pinon Canyon Condemnations
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
-
-
A Pinon Canyon Opposition Coalition billboard, as seen earlier this month in the area
CBS
Sen. Wayne Allard says the Army has told him it prefers to buy land from willing sellers to expand its Pinon Canyon training site in southeastern Colorado, but it has not ruled out condemnations.
Some farmers and ranchers are opposed to the expansion and fear they will be forced to sell their land, which is located along the historic Santa Fe Trail. Steve Wymer, Allard's spokesman, said others in the area are open to selling their land.
The Legislature is debating a bill that would bar the Army from using state eminent domain law to require landowners to sell, but even its backers admit the measure would be more symbolic.
Wymer said the Army has long said that forcing landowners to sell "would be a last resort."
Rancher Lon Robertson, the leader of a group opposing the expansion, said there are always some ranches for sale in the area but the majority of landowners don't want to sell. He the latest Army statement is nothing new.
Santa Fe TrailThe Santa Fe Trail, which ran along the Arkansas River Valley, was a key trade route between America and Mexico.
Coloradans who live along the trail and opposed the Army's plan say it represents their way of life. "It's peaceful, I feel free," said Cathy Mullins.
"There is a spirit in me that exists that I wouldn't find if I lived where I lived before."
Colorado's 5 Most Endangered Places
- Colorado Preservation, Inc., has released 2007's list of Colorado's most endangered places. The five locations range from Pinon Canyon to what might be the state's most high-profile park to a crumbling building in Pueblo. Watch CBS4's video profiles of each site and read more in the story Colorado's 5 Most Endangered Places Named.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
