Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, this amendment is not just about mining or energy and mineral extraction. This RMP is one of the largest land grabs we have ever seen, and it impacts everything from grazing to recreation. Grazing will be severely impacted by the preferred alternative of this RMP, including through a ban on livestock grazing and big game parturition habitat during the birthing season; prohibiting range improvement projects, such as troughs, reservoirs, and fences; and suspending AUMs currently authorized within the planning area. Perhaps what is most disheartening about this RMP is the fact that the BLM chose to move forward with the least studied plan out of all alternatives. In fact, Sweetwater County's public lands director verified in a hearing a few months ago that the BLM spent about 1 week out of 11 years on the preferred alternative. What is now its preferred alternative is clearly in violation of FLPMA and the obligation to take a hard look at the alternative chosen. A former BLM employee who worked on this RMP testified in front of State legislators in Wyoming that the preferred alternative was created as a bookend alternative and mentioned that they spent 1 week on alternative B and then the next 6 years on alternative D. It was also said to a reporter that this plan takes the public off of the public lands.…”