William M. Thomas: “It is geography. But I also pointed out in the letter and to the folks on the committee that the amendment did not block…”

“It is geography. But I also pointed out in the letter and to the folks on the committee that the amendment did not block in any way the application of the Endangered Species Act or other laws. I just wanted to keep the option open for building a road in an area that would save the taxpayers money. There was no game-playing on my part. I thought it was a simple addition because of a failure, frankly, to examine in greater detail, the area. It only came to my attention, no question, at the 11th hour. That is why there is only the 1 square mile. I did not offer 100 square miles, I did not offer an area adjacent to the Naval Weapons Center running over several other areas that the road could be built. I talked about 1 square mile.”