New Senate Moves to Increase Wilderness Protection

The United States Senate advanced legislation for the largest expansion of wilderness protection in 25 years in a rare Sunday session. More than 2 million acres in 9 states have been set aside. The bill is a holdover from last year and contains measures sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats, though some Republicans complained about not being able to add amendments to the bill.

From The Huffington Post:

By a 66-12 vote, with only 59 needed to limit debate, lawmakers agreed to clear away procedural hurdles despite partisan wrangling that had threatened pledges by leaders to work cooperatively as the new Obama administration takes office. Senate approval is expected later this week. Supporters hope the House will follow suit.

“Today is a great day for America’s public lands,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. “This big, bipartisan package of bills represents years of work by senators from many states, and both parties, in cooperation with local communities, to enhance places that make America so special.”

The measure _ actually a collection of about 160 bills _ would confer the government’s highest level of protection on land ranging from California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range to Oregon’s Mount Hood, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and parts of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. Land in Idaho’s Owyhee canyons, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan and Zion National Park in Utah also would be designated as wilderness.

Republicans are also complaining that the bill prevents development of oil and gas on federal lands, which they claim will deepen America’s dependence on foreign oil. No surprise there.

What a great way to for the new Congress to start. Hopefully it will pass in the House and we’ll be on our way to repairing some of the damage done by Bush.

Link [The Huffington Post]
Photo credit: Flickr user OneofThem

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