mr. tipton. >> thank you, mr. chairman. you're running a brilliant senate hearing here. i wanted to have it happen twice. i want to thank our panel for being here. you speak to something that speaks to my heart. on the western slope in color o colorado, 70% of the land is federal, state, or tribal lands. a lot of the forest, the 100,000 trees per day that you mentioned are falling in our forests right now are creating an incredible challenge in terms of maintaining healthy forests, in terms of the fire threat. could you maybe speak to -- because we're talking -- mr. burke was noting a little bit about water quality issues, if these forests burn, what type of impact is that going to have on water quality? >> that's absolutely devastating, sir. if you look at what happened after some of the big fires in colorado to the denver watershed in particular, the costs are astronomical. those are individuals paying a great deal more in the city of denver because they're relying on water from other parts of the state to be clean and healthy. the fact of the matter is, when these tre

mr. tipton. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. tipton: i thank the gentleman for yielding. this past weekend, i had the opportunity to be a in a truly remarkable part of the united states in southwest colorado, an area called chim knee rock. an area renowned for its cultural heritage and important a lo clock -- archaeological straits. it's considered by the scientific communities to be one of the most significant archaeological sites in the united states. centuries ago, native americans called it home. scientists have un-- uncovered ancient farming areas, homes, and other indicators that this was a major cultural center in this home. the an tesssors -- ancestors of the pueblo indians traveled to witness a rare lunar occurrence they considered sacred. chim knee rock is one of only three such areas in the country. the area is currently under the mofingt the u.s. forest service, covered under the usfs organic act which cannot i address the management of such a culturally and historically significant area as chimney rock. this act requ

mr. tipton for five minutes of questioning. >> thank you, mr. chairman. you're running a brilliant subcommittee hearing today. i wanted to tap into i.c.e. a day to thank our panel for taking time to be here. mr. goergen come he spoke to something that speaks directly to my heart. and my third congressional district of colorado by some 70% of the land is either federal, state or tribal lands. a lot of the force. 100,000 trades per day that she mentioned are falling enter for us right now are creating incredible challenge in terms of maintaining healthy forests, fire threat. she maybe speak to because we are talking, mr. burke was noting water quality issues. if these forests burn, what type of impact is that going to have on water quality? >> absolutely devastating, sir. if you look at what happened after the big fires in colorado, the costs are astronomical and those are individuals paid a great deal more in the city denver because they relied water from other parts of the state to be clean and healthy. the fact of the matter is when trees burned venezuel