Lois Capps: “I want to speak in favor of Mr. Moran's amendment to strike an irresponsible provision in the underlying spending bill.…”

“I want to speak in favor of Mr. Moran's amendment to strike an irresponsible provision in the underlying spending bill. Sec. 124 puts our wild lands in harm's way by prohibiting funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce Secretarial Order 3310, or the ``wild lands'' policy. This policy is a reasonable, well-grounded approach that will facilitate public participation and will restore balance to our public lands management policies. Most importantly, it will protect cherished natural icons from development. I commend the Secretary on his Order to resume the Interior Department's compliance with Wilderness Act and other existing laws that guarantee wilderness preservation. The Secretarial Order overturns a flawed decision made by former Interior Secretary Norton during the Bush Administration to halt all assessment or new protection of public land with wilderness characteristics. In effect, the Bush Administration stopped complying with the statutory requirements of the Wilderness Act and other laws. The Salazar Order reverses that decision. As a Member of Congress who understands the value of preserving wild places I fully support Salazar's decision to restore balance to public land management and any other measures taken to ensure the protection of ecologically important spaces. Clearly, some of my colleagues do not agree with me. Once again, the majority is trying to block BLM's and Congress' ability to manage public lands for the people.…”