Contact: Bill Noack, 202-589-2756

Thursday, October 18, 2007 

RECREATION GROUP RAPS PUBLIC LANDS BILL

In a Congressional hearing today, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) took issue with legislation – H.R. 1975 – that seeks to place the management of 23 million acres of public land under the Wilderness Act, saying the magnitude of the bill “has the markings of a legislative process run amok.” 

Speaking before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, ARRA executive director Larry E. Smith said ARRA was not opposed to creating new wilderness areas when and where appropriate.  “But we do have serious reservations about any legislation that seeks to shift the management of 23 million acres in one fell swoop,” he said.

Mr. Smith said the bill is simply too large and complicated, with the potential danger that after final passage, too many unintended consequences will emerge that will prove too difficult to fix. “I’m not sure this is the way to legislate new policy governing the use of public lands,” he added. 

The bill covers public lands in five western states: Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Wyoming.  It was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a Democrat from New York.

Mr. Smith strongly suggested that local people from the five states should be given the opportunity to examine and weigh in on the legislation. 

“If the bill’s authors are serious about this measure, why not divide the legislation up into five separate bills, one for each state affected?” Mr. Smith asked.  “Hearings could then be held, not only here in the Nation’s Capital, but more importantly, out in the states where those designations will occur.”

Mr. Smith noted that not one House member representing the affected areas has chosen to co-sponsor the bill.  “To be honest, I am highly suspect of any wilderness legislation that affects five western states and its prime sponsor hails from a congressional district in downtown Manhattan,” he said.

Americans for Responsible Recreational Access represents the interests of more than 25 million people who have a deep commitment to outdoor recreation, and believe that recreation is a legitimate use of our nation’s public lands and waters.