As the leaves begin to change with the coming of fall, it appears some on Capitol Hill cannot see the forest for the trees. At a recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, members re-hashed a number of dead-end proposals instead of focusing on a package of legislation with strong bi-partisan support.
Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the charge as the committee took up a number of bills including efforts to undermine the Antiquities Act, which grants the president authority to designate national monuments. This despite the fact that the Antiquities Act has been used by presidents of both parties to protect such iconic places as the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. President Obama’s national monument designations have met with widespread public approval and efforts to roll back his Antiquities Act authority in Congress have failed time and time again.
Also up for consideration was a bill to permit a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The Department of the Interior decided against building the road several years ago, noting the unacceptable harm it would cause to wildlife and the wild character of the area. A federal court agreed last year.
Not stopping at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Sen. Murkowski used the hearing to call for a special exemption from the national roadless rule to open the way for dirty fuel development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off the coast of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean. The roadless rule has stood the test of time and has proved immensely successful at preserving un-roaded wild areas that are essential for healthy forests, wildlife, and communities. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Forest Service opposes this plan. In further insult to our forests and the people who depend on them, the Senator is advocating slow the transition away from old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest.
As Congress’ last days in session drift away like leaves from the trees, the focus should be on positive lands protection bills that have momentum to move forward, not on grandstanding for (rightfully) lost causes.
A suite of bills before Congress now presents an opportunity expand the already growing outdoor recreation economy, protect natural areas, and support healthy communities. Together these bills are supported by a wide array of stakeholders from both parties and could bring significant benefits for the American people. Included in this suite of bills are pathways to fix fire borrowing and address wildfire funding; opportunities to protect new wilderness areas and scenic rivers in Washington, New Mexico, Tennessee and California; solutions for fully funding and permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports projects in every state; and a chance to nourish the next generation of volunteers and parks through National Park Centennial legislation.
Help us bring in a new season of progress by asking your senators to cosponsor the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act!