On May 11th, 2000, I introduced S. 2547, legislation to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve in Colorado's San Luis Valley.

This legislation was a major step in protection and preservation of the Great Sand Dunes and the San Luis Valley water. I along with Congressman McInnis decided to introduce companion bills at the request of valley residents, locally elected officials and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. In an era of Presidential threats and questionable uses of the Antiquities Act, a locally driven legislative process is something I strongly support.

The provisions of the bill allowed for (1) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Park; (2) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (3) the acquisition of the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4; (4) protection of San Luis Valley's water resources; (5) hunting in the new Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (6) creation of a new National Wildlife Refuge and (7) a local advisory council