Ron Kind: “H.R. 586 has a checkered history. While there has been no action by the Resources Committee on the legislation in this…”

“H.R. 586 has a checkered history. While there has been no action by the Resources Committee on the legislation in this Congress, questions and concerns were raised about identical legislation in the last session of Congress. In fact, the Bush administration has gone on record saying the legislation was both unnecessary and unwise. Numerous recreational uses occur on our public lands, including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping. Singling out the recreational use of pack and saddle animals for special treatment creates the potential for conflict with these other recreational uses and complicates resource management of the public lands. At the very least, I think the Resources Committee should take time out of our schedule this session to explore the ramifications of what is being requested here. This will be the only recreational use codified in law. With this noted, however, I will not object to the further consideration of this measure at this time. I appreciate my good friend and gentleman from California's interest in the subject. In fact, our office has received some e-mails and letters on this very subject ourselves. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”