Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1450, the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act, introduced by my good friend and colleague, Representative Fulcher of Idaho. St. Louis County, Minnesota, is the largest county east of the Mississippi River and the place I have always called home. St. Louis County is a checkerboard of Federal and non-Federal land. As such, there are many actors managing the land, be it the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service that manage our Federal lands, or the States, the counties, and the local Tribes that manage our non-Federal lands. Since its introduction over two decades ago, the Good Neighbor Authority program has facilitated co-stewardship of our Federal and non-Federal lands. By partnering Federal land managers with State stakeholders, we have created healthier forests, lowered fire risks, and better conserved our landscapes. However, the most successful stewardship of our public lands occurs when all parties are brought together and everyone is able to do their part. Unfortunately, our counties and Tribal partners, who do a lion's share of the work on Federal lands, are still unable to access the Good Neighbor Authority program. H.R. 1450 will allow our counties and federally recognized Tribes to access this critical management tool and allow them the ability to reinvest in restoration projects. This will build on the success of the program and further benefit our conservation efforts across this Nation.…”