Pete's Perspective: Omnibus Lands Bill
Washington,
Mar 25 -
Protecting the environment and the resources that help to sustain its natural beauty is an important priority. However, the public should be provided with reasonable access to such resources for its enjoyment.
For the second time in 2009 Congress considered the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. The legislation is composed of 172 bills and costs more than $10 billion. Among many other provisions, it designates more than 2 million acres of land as wilderness areas (including a portion of Pictured Rocks in Michigan), which permanently eliminates human access for exploration or recreational opportunities.
By restricting hunting and fishing opportunities on public lands, I worry that the bill walls-off access to those who enjoy nature. The bill even subjects amateur fossil and rock collectors to five years in prison and allows for the confiscation of personal property.
It is simply another example of decisions made in a "top-down" fashion originating in Washington, D.C. Such decisions do not account for the uniqueness of each impacted area throughout the country.
Instead of pushing such a massive bill through Congress that will have an enormous impact on our government’s management of public lands, Congress should have given the public the opportunity to provide input to balance the interests of private property rights, development, access and preservation.
Public lands serve a variety of functions and uses. It is imperative that a fair balance be struck between all of them.
