In the midst of the economic crisis and a few other disappointing actions by the new President, it's easy to forget what a change at the top can bring. Today is a cheery reminder. Kudos to the Congress for passing an omnibus bill setting aside more Wilderness Areas than has been done in 15 years (2 million acres), more acres in one act than Bush set aside in all 8 years of his dismal presidency (shocking I know). Wilderness designation prohibits most serious human alteration of the environment, including mechanized transportation (yeah, time to get off your ass you Blue Ribbon ORV "enthusiasts" and hike), timbering and oil and gas exploration.
The vote (H.R. 146 roll call here) was 285-140, with only 4 Democrats voting against. 38 environmentally-minded Republicans also voted yes, so props to them. Not surprisingly our own Adrian Smith was not among them (Nebraska's Fortenberry was, however).
Republicans criticized the legislation as a "land grab," perhaps forgetting that almost all of the land is federal already. What they mean, of course, is that the environmentally-minded public is finally able to "grab" a little of its land back from those narrow interests who see it primarily as a resource to be managed primarily for profit, the ecosystem be damned. And despite their high-minded language of "individualism" and "minimal government," these "managers" are typically all-too-willing to suckle at the federal teat for various forms of federal largesse, from antiquated mining laws to the "cowboy welfare" of sub-market grazing fees.
'Glad we can "grab" a little of this wonderful land back...
PF
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