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Contact: Dave Yonkman
202-225-4401
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Hoekstra Votes against Overly Restrictive Land Management Bill
Legislation Severely Limits Energy Exploration, Acceess to Public Lands
Washington,
Mar 12 -
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today voted against a massive bill that blocks American energy exploration, discourages job creation and restricts access to public land.
"I fully support the environment, but the public should have reasonable access for its enjoyment and for meeting energy needs," Hoekstra said. "Congress should pass protections that allow everyone to enjoy America’s natural beauty while permitting safe exploration for resources that increase America’s energy independence."
The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S. 22) contains 1,200 pages composed of 172 bills and costs more than $10 billion. The bill withdraws 3 million acres from energy leasing and recreation, renders 331 million barrels of recoverable oil in Wyoming inaccessible and prohibits exploring for 8.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Wyoming.
The bill even subjects amateur fossil and rock collectors to five years in prison and allows for the confiscation of personal property, including vehicles.
"Washington cannot account for the uniqueness of the areas that the bill will impact throughout the country," Hoekstra said. "The public should have the opportunity to provide input to balance the interests of private property rights, energy development, access and preservation."
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