Taking too much

Dear Editor,

In 1983 the U. S. Government created the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) in Southeast Colorado. At that time the promise was made that the site would never be expanded.

This year, that same government announced, through the Army at Fort Carson, expansion plans for the PCMS. Instead of taking 250,000 acres like in 1983, the new proposal would extend the site to 2.5 million acres.

If they are successful, when the long range plan comes to fulfillment, the Army will take over the ENTIRE Southeast corner of the State of Colorado.

Expansion would have drastic adverse effects on the livelihoods of hundreds of ranching families and the counties and communities surrounding the expanded maneuver site.

Entire cities and towns would be removed from existence, except as maybe urban warfare training sites.

It would totally devastate the local economies throughout the region and would dry up the tax base that supports vital rural services. Once those farms and ranches are out of business, they're likely to stay out of business.

Because of the current state of the economy and land prices around the country, it's virtually impossible for a landowner to pick up stakes and find a suitable amount of land anywhere else in the country to resume operations.

In fact, just the threat of the use of eminent domain to take over the land in the area has stopped expansion, lowered land prices, and placed undue stress on ranchers and businessmen alike. 

The Pinon Canyon expansion has been going through the planning process for the last five years but people living in Southeastern Colorado didn't have a clue that the Army was planning to sustain Fort Carson until this year.

The expansion would take this land permanently out of production and destroy all possibility for future generations of ranchers.

Negative impacts will be devastating to the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway. The Southeastern Colorado region is a veritable gold mine of history and culture.

From dinosaurs to prehistoric settlements to Old West villages, this canyon lands has seen them all. Hidden away in the canyons is the evidence of 4,000 years of habitation and, if the Army gets its way, only tanks and troops will have access.

Also, many of these priceless historical and cultural resources may be permanently destroyed.    If this were the only place in the country facing a threat to farmers and ranchers we might just turn our heads the other way thinking this doesn't really affect us.

Unfortunately, farmers and ranchers all over North America are facing these issues and this expansion sets a dangerous precedent in the use of eminent domain. This expansion is an American issue.

Remember: if it can happen in Southeast Colorado, it can happen anywhere in this great nation.

It's time for all of us to speak up against this massive expansion of federal holdings.

Pam Potthoff,

President-Elect

Women Involved in Farm Economics

Trenton