Greg Walden

I don't want a runaway FCC that simply squishes them because they can and takes them out.

I want to thank the gentleman from Vermont for his kind words and his good work on this legislation. Certainly, I recognize our counterparts on the Democratic side, Mr. Waxman and Ms. Eshoo, who have worked tirelessly on this bill, as well…

I thank the gentleman for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the vice chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

I am honored to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

With that, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the leader of our Energy and Commerce Committee.

I am, to quote the man for whom this room is named, "comforted very little."

Comforted very little.

While proponents of the status quo express their love of localism and the laws intended to guarantee it, I fear that laws intended to ensconce our love of local media are, in fact, loving it to death.

Our laws need to reflect the reality of the world we live in today, not the world of the Ford administration.

For too long the Forest Service has arbitrarily and capriciously closed roads without public notice or consultation.

H.R. 4272 will ensure local knowledge is applied to Federal decisionmaking on access.

Your bill would stop the misguided travel management rule on national forests in the West and would promote local control over future proposals that could restrict forest access.

The feeling that folks I represent have, and that I have deeply is you already locked off X percent per forest on wilderness, roadless, whatever.

If that doesn't get your attention--and I had to make calls, and all of that, as well.

Now there is no confidence in the system.

The bill's concurrence requirements would significantly delay or prevent implementation of future individual travel management decisions

The bill could preclude the Forest Service from enforcing public safety prohibitions and restrictions on NFS roads

Access to these forests now is a cultural and social mainstay, as well.

Over half of Oregon's land--53 percent, to be exact--is controlled by the Federal Government.

I think Mr. McClure--Commissioner McClure really summed it up well.

This bill is not needed because the 2005 Travel Management Rule provides for dynamic management of the forest transportation system

The Forest Supervisor has agreed to reassess the travel management decision in response to public input

I would like to express that we are committed to working with Representative Walden and Congress to ensure the best possible management of the forest lands, in conjunction with the interests of the local community.

It was clear to those who participated in the process that the Forest Service had largely, if not entirely, ignored their thoughtful and deliberate input.

It seems access constantly is being restricted.