I thought this was a good short read. At least this isn't going down un-fought.
Courtesy of ARRA - Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=arra_washingtonnewsletter_mar2011#Rocky
Secretary Ken Salazar announced his new "Wild Lands" policy just before Christmas at a press conference in Denver, but when the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on the policy, the Secretary did not testify. Rather, Bob Abbey, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, was the guy on the hot seat. Before Abbey had a chance to testify, two Governors from western states testified along with several county commissioners.
Governors Herbert and Otter, of Utah and Idaho respectfully, testified in opposition to Secretary Salazar's order. When asked whether the states had been consulted by the Secretary prior to the formation or the announcement of the Wild Lands policy, Governor Herbert said he was notified only two hours in advance of the public announcement and Governor Otter said he heard about it after the fact.
According to testimony by other witnesses, Secretarial Order 3310 will have a negative impact on the economy of western states. Dennis C. W. Smith, Chair of the County Commissioners of Jackson County, Oregon, said in part, "Secretarial Order 3310 promises to make an intolerable situation even worse, by locking up even more BLM land, creating de facto wilderness areas without Congressional action or oversight, and without the support of local communities that will be adversely impacted. This Order will not only prevent consideration of normal forestry, it will eliminate recreational uses such as snowmobiling, trail biking, motorcycling and other motorized uses. The elderly and handicapped will be shut out entirely. Order 3310 is elitist and exclusive, rather than inclusive."
The whole issue surrounding the Wild Lands policy is one of managing BLM lands for multiple use and the possibly elevation of "Wild Lands" protection (i.e. wilderness) over other legitimate uses of BLM property. When Director Abbey was asked by Chairman Hastings what statutory authority he had as Director of BLM to choose Wild Lands designation over other multiple uses, Abbey responded that he wasn't aware of any statutory authority!
This issue isn't going to go away any time soon. I expect more hearings and more controversy as the Administration tries to implement Secretarial Order 3310.
Courtesy of ARRA - Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=arra_washingtonnewsletter_mar2011#Rocky
Secretary Ken Salazar announced his new "Wild Lands" policy just before Christmas at a press conference in Denver, but when the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on the policy, the Secretary did not testify. Rather, Bob Abbey, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, was the guy on the hot seat. Before Abbey had a chance to testify, two Governors from western states testified along with several county commissioners.
Governors Herbert and Otter, of Utah and Idaho respectfully, testified in opposition to Secretary Salazar's order. When asked whether the states had been consulted by the Secretary prior to the formation or the announcement of the Wild Lands policy, Governor Herbert said he was notified only two hours in advance of the public announcement and Governor Otter said he heard about it after the fact.
According to testimony by other witnesses, Secretarial Order 3310 will have a negative impact on the economy of western states. Dennis C. W. Smith, Chair of the County Commissioners of Jackson County, Oregon, said in part, "Secretarial Order 3310 promises to make an intolerable situation even worse, by locking up even more BLM land, creating de facto wilderness areas without Congressional action or oversight, and without the support of local communities that will be adversely impacted. This Order will not only prevent consideration of normal forestry, it will eliminate recreational uses such as snowmobiling, trail biking, motorcycling and other motorized uses. The elderly and handicapped will be shut out entirely. Order 3310 is elitist and exclusive, rather than inclusive."
The whole issue surrounding the Wild Lands policy is one of managing BLM lands for multiple use and the possibly elevation of "Wild Lands" protection (i.e. wilderness) over other legitimate uses of BLM property. When Director Abbey was asked by Chairman Hastings what statutory authority he had as Director of BLM to choose Wild Lands designation over other multiple uses, Abbey responded that he wasn't aware of any statutory authority!
This issue isn't going to go away any time soon. I expect more hearings and more controversy as the Administration tries to implement Secretarial Order 3310.
