George Miller: “S. 1079 is a bill introduced by Senator Dorgan that allows the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation…”

“S. 1079 is a bill introduced by Senator Dorgan that allows the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota to take an important step toward future economic development. Congressman Pomeroy of North Dakota has sponsored similar legislation in the House. In an attempt to force Senate action on the Quincy Library Group legislation, the majority has sent S. 1079 to the desk with an unrelated amendment, that with one change is the text of Quincy Library Group bill (H.R. 858) that was reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month. Members may recall that when the House considered H.R. 858 in July, I initially opposed the bill. However, after negotiating with Chairman Young, a number of important changes were made to the bill on the House floor. With those changes I voted for the bill. I recognized at the time that the bill was far from a perfect measure but it was significantly improved. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has made further changes to the bill. Two of the most important changes were to provide roadless area protection to large areas of the three national forests and to provide the pilot project will end the earlier of when the forest plan is amended or 5 years. I am pleased to see the language added on roadless area protection. This change provides a statutory basis for such protection but it by no means is the only protection that can be provided.”