I thank you and Senator Craig for holding this hearing.

I know Senator Wyden has made a great effort to include the concerns of mountain-bikers, snowmobiles, and recreational groups.

It's a common misunderstanding that the only areas suitable for wilderness are those that are pristine, never touched by man.

Would you like me to remove the thinning provisions that I put in, from my legislation?

Well, we will work with you on that. I can just tell you--Senator Smith knows--there is just a ton of economic hurt out there.

I just think it's important not to see this as a zero-sum game.

We see this new rule to be a considerable barrier to our partnership.

I am going to put a hold on your upcoming appointees until the agency is responsive on that question.

The Freedom of Information Act was never intended to justify withholding information from the Congress.

I have to tell you, I am very troubled by what has come out that indicates that essentially something like 12 paragraphs of what industry has proposed were essentially enacted verbatim.

I regret to say I am going to hold up his appointment until we get access to this information.

It looks to me like powerful industries can essentially hotwire the regulatory process that weaken environmental rules.

I find it very troubling and it is why I think that the agency seems to be writing a textbook case for how you weaken some of these environmental laws.

It looks to me like he is saying that the agency will not use the Freedom of Information Act in the future to deny Members of Congress access to information.

I voted for Mr. Leavitt's appointment. I want to say that I am really disappointed up to this point.

It is a dangerous problem, but it is also dangerous practice to enact an industry wish list into law.

It seems to me that the Administration is writing a new text book on how to promote foot-dragging on the most important environmental issues.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Senator Bingaman again for his thoughtfulness.