Victor Fazio: “the Mining in the Parks Act, which requires plans of operation to be prepared prior to mining activity, will still be in…”

“the Mining in the Parks Act, which requires plans of operation to be prepared prior to mining activity, will still be in effect for the national preserve. We simply will be doing nothing to put any of this into effect. Now, let me say I think there has been a mood change in the area as well. The San Bernardino board of supervisors, which originally opposed the preserve, is now enthusiastic about winning full funding for it, having noted that tourist visits in the area have increased dramatically since the preserve was established. The Chambers of Commerce of nearby Barstow, Baker and Newberry Springs have recently expressed their support for the Mojave national preserve. Local officials want to give this law a chance to work. We in Congress need to do the same. In short, we should support Chairman Regula's mark. We should support the 8 years of careful crafting that went into establishing the preserve. We should not be using appropriations, I think, as an improper tool to reverse this law we only so recently have enacted.”