George Miller: “Mr. Chairman, the discussion surrounding this amendment is an incredible mischaracterization of the bill, the suggestion…”

“Mr. Chairman, the discussion surrounding this amendment is an incredible mischaracterization of the bill, the suggestion that somehow the bill would deny access to private-property owners when, in fact, the law demands that they be given access to their property would continue. The notion here is the suggestion that somehow that if we provide a road to private property for their access that somehow that has got to become a public road. We can provide access to private property and not make that a public road for everyone to use. The fact is in this legislation, is it currently stands before us, there are over some 33,000 roads that can be used. This goes far beyond what the off-road-vehicle users have asked for. It opens up areas the previous administration, the Bush administration, had recommended be closed. There is no prohibition on hiking, as the gentlemen would lead you to believe. There is no prohibition on access to grazing permits, as the gentlemen would lead you to believe. There is no prohibition, in fact, the law denies a prohibition on access to private property within these inholdings. We have all experienced that in wilderness areas throughout the country.”