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WASHINGTON-A bipartisan group of House leaders today introduced The National Landscape Conservation System Act of 2007 to protect the crown jewels of the Bureau of Land Management's lands and waters. This critical legislation comes on the heels of a Senate bill introduced last week with the same mission.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, moved with his co-chairs of the National Landscape Conservation System Congressional Caucus, Rep. May Bono (R-CA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Rick Renzi (R-AZ), to make the BLM's Conservation System, which currently has no mandate as such, permanent. The bill formally recognizes the Conservation System, administratively designated by former President Bill Clinton in 2000. The Conservation System is a network of the last places to experience the history and wild beauty of the American West, with 26 million acres of National Monuments, wilderness areas, scenic rivers & trails, and historic sites that provide a uniquely American experience.
Unlike the National Parks and the National Wildlife Refuges, there currently is no guarantee that the Conservation System will be around five years from now. These extraordinary places are being ruined by vandalism, reckless off-road vehicle use, oil and gas drilling, and neglect. With an average of less than one ranger for every 200,000 acres, there are too few staff to protect these lands.
The President's FY'08 Budget Request for the Conservation System proposed the lowest funding levels since the System was established, providing less than $2.00 an acre to manage some of the crown jewels of western public lands.
Senator Bingaman (D-NM), introduced S 1139 April 18 with Ken Salazar (D-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Bingaman’s bill will be heard in committee May 3.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-AZ: "The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of our public lands, but instances of vandalism, artifact theft, illegal off-road vehicle and lack of funding have seriously affected these sites. By taking action now, we can protect these national treasures that belong to all of us."
Rep. Mary Bono, R-CA: "Today we move to ensure that our nation's most valued open spaces continue to be recognized and protected. Too many sensitive areas that hold priceless historic and cultural value have been needlessly vandalized and damaged because the Conservation System has been neglected. This legislation presents our opportunity to address the challenges that the Bureau of Land Management's National Landscape Conservation system faces, as we safeguard America's heritage and our open spaces for future generations."
Rep. Jim Moran, D-VA: “Conservation efforts on historic public lands are being short changed by this administration. It’s time we provided public land managers the license to create a permanent system of protection for our most treasured places.”
Rep. Rick Renzi, R-AZ: “Unlike the National Parks, there’s no guarantee that the Conservation System will be around five years from now. These extraordinary places are being ruined by neglect, vandalism and misuse. Our action today recognizes the importance of protecting these lands forever.”
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