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VALUE OF PUBLIC LAND
RECREATION AND ACCESS ADVANCED IN WILDERNESS
BILLS
POCATELLO, ID (July 24) - An important new
trend has established itself in Wilderness bills
voted off the floor this week in Congress. The
BlueRibbon Coalition, a national trail based
advocacy group, notes that the significance of
public land recreation and access was
specifically recognized in Wilderness bills from
Oregon, California and Idaho. The value of
public lands in meeting the America's
recreational needs was a focus in all these
bills.
Congressman Greg Walden, Chairman of the
House subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health,
clearly articulated a theme that existing
motorized recreation should be considered and
codified in new land designations such as the
Mount Hood Stewardship Act (HR5025), the Central
Idaho Economic Development Act (HR3603) and the
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage
Wilderness Act (HR233). Walden stated on the
floor that HR3603 "...meets the needs of today's
users...and locks in existing motorized uses..."
Similar statements were made about the other
bills.
Brian Hawthorne, Public Lands Director for
the BlueRibbon Coalition, said; "I think it
shows that the recreation community is finding
its voice. Legislators specifically addressed
and provided for recreation in each of these
bills. It shows trail users are no longer
relegated to the back of the bus when Wilderness
bills are proposed." Hawthorne stressed the
point that his group does not support the Idaho
and Oregon bills and will be working hard in the
Senate to defeat the Idaho bill.
However, in each case legislators recognized
that Americans' ability to access the lands will
be substantially reduced. Each bill provides
specifically for recreational uses, in some
cases codifying that use in law.
"I think this current Wilderness debate shows
that the 'Recreation Movement' is maturing and
has rightfully earned a seat at the table,"
Hawthorne said. But he also made the point that
much more involvement is needed from
recreationists. He noted all of the legislation
reduces public access while providing little in
the way of true resource protection. Hawthorne
said, "There is simply no credible threat to
these lands. Anti-access groups vilify uses of
public lands they don't like in the media as an
attempt to secure public support for broad
restrictions. However, studies show the public
opposes reducing public access on local National
Forests. Recreationists will need to work harder
to make the point that recreation and protection
are not mutually exclusive."
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