Herger Bill to Limit Bureaucracy and Increase Access to Federal Lands Passes House
Congressional Desk
June 17, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Herger (R-CA) released the following statement after the House passed legislation he wrote to provide more efficient management of federal lands in the 2nd Congressional District. H.R. 689 would allow the consolidation of federal lands in the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy for those looking to use the lands. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote. Herger delivered the following speech on the House Floor in support of his measure:
"I rise today in support of H.R. 689 to interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. I am a firm believer in policies that limit bureaucracy and limit government interference in our every day lives. H.R. 689 accomplishes these goals and will also improve access and recreational use of these federal lands. This bill is a simple jurisdictional exchange between federal agencies to allow for more consolidated and efficient management of the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area in the Northern California congressional district I represent. For years, many of my constituents have raised their concerns over difficulties in dealing with two federal agencies to use one O-H-V area. Issues such as duplicative permits - at substantial and unnecessary cost to the users - and even different opening dates for the same area have resulted in frustration from the thousands of users, from across California and elsewhere, who try to cope with this redundant management.
"This noncontroversial exchange was developed collaboratively at the local level by the Forest Service and BLM in conjunction with the local O-H-V community. The BLM will be able to consolidate the O-H-V area while in exchange the Forest Service will benefit by receiving small tracts of wilderness area that are currently managed by the BLM but are contiguous to Forest Service land. The exchange only involves lands that are already controlled by the federal government and will not change the designation of these lands.
"This legislation is a prime example of commonsense solutions and better government that will result in a win-win for the taxpayers and their access to our public lands. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, thank you."
"I rise today in support of H.R. 689 to interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. I am a firm believer in policies that limit bureaucracy and limit government interference in our every day lives. H.R. 689 accomplishes these goals and will also improve access and recreational use of these federal lands. This bill is a simple jurisdictional exchange between federal agencies to allow for more consolidated and efficient management of the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area in the Northern California congressional district I represent. For years, many of my constituents have raised their concerns over difficulties in dealing with two federal agencies to use one O-H-V area. Issues such as duplicative permits - at substantial and unnecessary cost to the users - and even different opening dates for the same area have resulted in frustration from the thousands of users, from across California and elsewhere, who try to cope with this redundant management.
"This noncontroversial exchange was developed collaboratively at the local level by the Forest Service and BLM in conjunction with the local O-H-V community. The BLM will be able to consolidate the O-H-V area while in exchange the Forest Service will benefit by receiving small tracts of wilderness area that are currently managed by the BLM but are contiguous to Forest Service land. The exchange only involves lands that are already controlled by the federal government and will not change the designation of these lands.
"This legislation is a prime example of commonsense solutions and better government that will result in a win-win for the taxpayers and their access to our public lands. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, thank you."
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