Jon L. Christensen: “the overall purpose of the bill before the House is to resolve a long-standing error that included a concession known as…”

“the overall purpose of the bill before the House is to resolve a long-standing error that included a concession known as Walter's Camp as part of the original land withdrawal which established the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. In the course of the Committee on Resources' investigation into this matter, we have come to understand that the inclusion of Walter's Camp was a genuine error in the original 1964 withdrawal. We have also been careful to ensure that nothing in H.R. 3937 will affect public ownership of the lands revoked by H.R. 3937. All title interests will remain with the Federal Government. As a result, I support this legislation to correct the mistake which under law cannot be resolved administratively by the Secretary of the Interior. Some concerns were raised, however, concerning the potential for encroachment onto the Cibola Refuge, intentional or accidental, by recreational off-road vehicle enthusiasts who might visit Walter's Camp in the future. Clearly, off-road vehicle use is not compatible with the purposes of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.”