Bolts Ditch Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1729, the Bolts Ditch Act, introduced by my colleague and good friend from Colorado (Mr. Neguse).

Mr. Speaker, the Bolts Ditch Headgate and ditch segment are located within the Holy Cross Wilderness in Colorado's White River National Forest. This infrastructure is essential for delivering water to the Bolts Lake Reservoir, supporting water supply needs and economic development in Eagle County.

Mr. Speaker, to balance the protection of the wilderness area with the continued operation of Bolts Ditch, Congress previously authorized the town of Minturn access to use, maintain, and repair the headgate and ditch under the John Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.

The Bolts Ditch Act would expand this authority to the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority as eligible entities.

Under this new authority, they would be eligible to receive a permit from the Secretary of Agriculture for nonmotorized access to use, maintain, and repair Bolts Ditch Headgate and 450 feet of Bolts Ditch.

Representative Neguse's legislation would ensure continued access to critical water infrastructure, and promote efficient regional water supply management while protecting the wilderness area.

It would also support higher in-stream flows for Cross Creek, reduce energy consumption, and foster long-term economic benefits for Eagle County. This is a priority for this community, and I thank Representative Neguse for his hard work and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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