Earl Blumenauer: “Reclaiming my final minute, Mr. Chairman, the area that I take exception to what the gentleman is talking about is…”

“Reclaiming my final minute, Mr. Chairman, the area that I take exception to what the gentleman is talking about is two-fold. One is that it leaves out areas that have already been studied and virtually all rational people agree have wilderness characteristics. They are sensitive areas. His amendment would undercut what my colleague from Colorado is attempting to do. Second, these are areas that are in fact under assault. These are areas where there are extreme pressures, where there is growing use of recreation vehicles. It is extraordinarily destructive, in the public mindset. With all due respect, I do think there are problems. That is why I do not want to settle for the limited vision that is so uncharacteristic of my friend, the gentleman from New York.”