GOP lawmakers demand repeal of wilderness policy
by Phil Taylor, E&E News, January 31, 2011 [here]
Nearly 60 Republican lawmakers, mostly from the West, on Friday asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to rescind a new policy that directs field managers to inventory and protect wilderness-quality lands, arguing that it would significantly affect rural economies.
In a letter from the Western caucuses of both chambers, the members of Congress warned that Interior’s decision to announce the policy after last month’s recess and without congressional input threatens future wilderness cooperation and sows public distrust.
“As best we can tell, Congress was left in the dark regarding any process the DOI may have undertaken in the preparation of this decision,” said the letter authored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and co-signed by 55 others.
They argued that Interior’s new “wild lands” policy flouts the intent of the Wilderness Act — which gives Congress authority to designate wilderness — and “appears to be an underhanded attempt by DOI to circumvent Congress and the federal rulemaking process by designating millions of acres of publicly owned lands in Western states as de facto wilderness.”
The lawmakers urged Salazar to withdraw the order and asked the agency to consult with Congress if it discovers lands worthy of wilderness protections. … [more]
Note: List of letter signers is [here]