The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act is a 23 million acre juggernaut of a wilderness bill. This legislation has been introduced by Representative Maloney (D-NY), and it will designate millions of acres of wilderness and over 1800 miles of wild and scenic rivers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. As is often the case with radical wilderness bills such as this one, the special interest groups that conjured up this proposal had to find a member of Congress from New York to introduce the bill because they would never get the support they need in the impacted states to get the bill introduced.
It is almost impossible to fathom what 23 million acres of wilderness would impact, but it is worth remembering that wilderness designations are the most restrictive designations. The following uses would not be allowed if we allow members of Congress from the East Coast to completely lock up land in these five western states:
- No motorized or mechanized use – This means roads will be closed. No motorized recreation will be allowed. Dispersed camping in motorhomes, RVs, vans, and overloading vehicles would be prohibited. Snowmobiling would be banned. Mechanized use also means mountain biking according to current interpretations of the wilderness restrictions.
- Wilderness increases fire risk – No mechanized use means no chainsaws – let alone any of the other vehicles that are necessary to perform the vegetation treatments that are desperately needed to reduce fuel loads, protect habitat for wildlife, and prevent catastrophic fires.
- Wilderness will lead to reduced recreation – We are seeing wilderness areas move towards reservation-based systems for the limited recreation access that is still allowed. More often than not, these reservation systems are leading to dramatic reductions of use for guided tour operators and for the general public who simply wants to access these areas for low impact recreation.
- Wild and Scenic River Designations will restrict river access – We will likely see reductions in motorized watercraft use in these areas. human powered watercraft will likely be strictly managed through reservations and permit system.
- Wilderness is discriminatory – The heavy prejudice against motorized use leads to dramatic loss of access for those with mobility impairment disability. Reservation systems also tend to privilege wealthier public land visitors at the expense of lower -income users.
- Wilderness is unnecessary – Numerous statutes are already in place to protect the resources of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem.
These 23 million acres don’t need more “protection.” They do need more management. But wilderness prevents active management of the forests. This massive wilderness bill is being sold as part of the 30×30 marketing campaign the is being pushed to lock Americans out of their public land. This bill will be heard before the House Natural Resources Committee on February 15, and it is important for everyone to add their voice to our action alert opposing this bill:
Please vote no to H.R. 1755. Public Lands should remain Public.
This is a bill that should never be introduced, let alone be considered. It would be a devastating measure that would block almost all practical use of the lands. There are many problems with this method of land management.
1. Very limited public access.
2. Blockage of resources use, such as lumber, paper, oil/gas. minerals (gold, lithium, silver,
and other precious metals/materials)
3. No recreation other than on the very edges of this large land grab.
4. No local impute on local lands.
5. No funding of schools from resource extraction.
6. Very limited motorized access.
7. Increased wildfire hazards due to lack of tree harvesting.
8. No potential for real estate development such as housing, recreational areas such as
skiing, campgrounds, golf courses, boating access and handicap access.
9. Takes away individual States control to manage their lands.
I am opposed to this type of management of lands, rather they should be managed on a case-by-case area specific basis.
Please vote ‘No’ on H.R. 1755.
Public lands should remain Public.
Please vote no to H.R. 1755. Public lands should remain open for all. Wilderness designations are too strict.
After careful consideration I am asking you to please vote no to H.R. 1755. Public Lands should remain Public.
Vote no to H.R. 1755. Public Lands must remain open.
Over the last ten years the Forest Service in New Mexico has done nothing to improve OHV trails in the Jemez Mtns. The NMFS has only closed down trails claiming bogus reasons for closing……..the result is no participation from the OHV community!
I oppose efforts to close our national wilderness areas down
Wilderness is now so extensive that likely there is little land left that meets the qualification to be called wilderness, by those who are familiar with the actual land. People who could not possibly know what they are effecting should not be proposing wilderness designations.
It’s time to take a stand against those that wish to lock us out of our own land.
As a person with physical disabilities, this act will prohibit me from accessing “my” public land. Much of this land is reasonably accessible at present time for myself and those like me to enjoy and explore.
This bill has not taken in to consideration these things. Managing these lands, the forest service is struggling to clear trails , for hiking, horses. These areas are left untouched because access is difficult . I also believe the state should have control or a majority say how these lands are used or set aside! Someone’s pipe dream from a place all the way across the country really doesn’t know what’s best for others that live and breath for these mountains and resources in the west!
Awesome comment, is anyone paying attention. Thanks
Having raised three productive adults by recreating on public lands in the West, I feel obligated to fight the Eastern culture trying to close down Western Public lands to SAVE the West from itself.
These proposals would close these same opportunities to recreate to my grandchildren.
Please vote no on HR 1755. Public lands need to remain accessible to all of us as the owners of the land. Wilderness designation is too restrictive and will lead to massive wildfire and loss of a valued resource.
Sweeping closure of 23 million acres of public land is the wrong way to manage public lands. Most of the land that fits the true definition of wilderness has already been designated as such. Wilderness designation will drastically alter local economies that depend on multiple use.
Fire suppression and fuel management options in wilderness is extremely limited compared to national forest or BLM lands and this will lead to more damaging fires in the future.
I am completely opposed to HB 1755 Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act and to additional wilderness designations especially of this size and scope.
We do not need to lock up more land,vote no on this bill,thankyou
Please vote no on HR 1755. Public lands need to remain accessible to all of us as the owners of the land. As a disabled veteran I would lose my access to all of these areas once they are listed as Wilderness. Wilderness designation is too restrictive and will also lead to massive wildfire and loss of a valued resource.
Please vote no on HR 1755. As a veteran I fought to preserve, protect and enjoy our public lands. I cannot do that if you lock me out. Please be more responsible and considerate of those without deep pockets. The recreation aspect of our culture is being squeezed and we are the ones who support all the aspects of this industry, not backpackers and hikers. If people abuse the land then punish them, not those of us who recreate responsibly. Please come up with a more appropriate plan. Thank You, Mike Gray