Political Quotes

“passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 would wrap up one of the major pieces of unfinished business from last year. The majority leader promised he would take up this legislation early in 2009, and indeed he has. The omnibus public land bill includes four provisions that will directly benefit Michigan by preserving precious natural resources and improving our parks and trails. The lands bill includes legislation I authored that would authorize the Federal Government to purchase land from willing sellers for the North Country National Scenic Trail. The North Country Trail will be the Nation's longest hiking trail, traversing seven States including Michigan, which has the longest trail segment of 1,150 miles. The Federal Government has land acquisition authority for the majority of its national scenic and historic trails, but for no good reason this authority has not been available for the North Country Trail. Willing sellers should have the right to sell portions of their land, or grant easements for trail users across their land, should they choose to do so, and if it is in the public interest. This provision will allow for the eventual completion of the North Country Trail, giving more users the opportunity to enjoy scenic hiking in Michigan as well as the six other States along the planned route.”