Russ Feingold: “The Senator may be aware that citizens' groups have petitioned the BLM to review several million additional acres for…”

“The Senator may be aware that citizens' groups have petitioned the BLM to review several million additional acres for wilderness designation, but these lands are largely not protected from oil and gas development. The BLM's ``Wilderness Inventory and Study Procedures'' manual requires the BLM review wilderness recommendations received from the public, and to make a determination as to whether there is a reasonable probability that the area in question may have wilderness characteristics. If the BLM determines that the area may have wilderness characteristics, and if actions are proposed that could degrade the wilderness values, the BLM ``should, as soon as practicable, initiate a new land use plan or plan amendment to address the wilderness values.''”