John Hansen: “I rise in support of H.R. 4828, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000. Today we have the…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4828, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000. Today we have the opportunity to protect Steens Mountain in Oregon, one of the most beautiful areas in the West. What brings us here today is nothing more than the relentless efforts of the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) over the past few months to draft this consensus legislation. The citizens of Oregon are lucky to be represented by a man who has found a way to preserve the beautiful area while at the same time respecting the people's needs and uses in the Steens Mountain area. H.R. 4828 is the culmination of years of effort to protect this unique area. H.R. 4828 is a complicated measure that uses management prescriptions that fit the land. Steens Mountain is a 30-mile long block which rises approximately 9,700 feet above the Alvord Basin, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including sage grouse, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, deer, antelope, and many varieties of fish. H.R. 4828 withdraws 1.2 million acres from mining and geothermal development and designates 134,000 acres as wilderness.”