Jon L. Christensen: “However, behind his humorous words, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) was pointing out there are serious…”

“However, behind his humorous words, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) was pointing out there are serious problems with H.R. 2966, and I share the concern raised by the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Bush administration and others that the bill is unnecessary and unwise. It is not a question of whether there should be pack and saddle animal use on public lands. Many people partake of such use, and there are many places where such use occurs on public lands. No, the real question is whether we should single out and legislatively enshrine a narrow specific recreational use into the missions of the various Federal land management agencies. H.R. 2966 would bestow on a select group a right not enjoyed by hunters and fishermen, to name just a few. To single out pack and saddle animal use for special consideration upsets the balance that is sometimes necessary between competing uses and resource management.”