Press Releases
Congressman Young Supports State Management of Federal Lands, Highlights Fed’s Failures
Washington, D.C.,
November 21, 2013
Tags:
Natural Resources
“States across the country, including Alaska, have a proven record of success in managing public lands,” said Congressman Young. “Alaska alone manages millions of acres of state parks, forests, historic sites, a network of trails and public use cabins. This legislation addresses the major failure by our federal land management agencies to effectively manage our public lands and provides State agencies the opportunity to do better.”
Washington, D.C. - In a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing today, Alaskan Congressman Don Young raised serious concern over the unending failures of the federal lands management agencies in Alaska and across the country, while addressing legislation he introduced to give states the ability to exercise management authority on selected federal lands managed by agencies such as the Forest Service and the National Park Service. “States across the country, including Alaska, have a proven record of success in managing public lands,” said Congressman Young. “Alaska alone manages millions of acres of state parks, forests, historic sites, a network of trails and public use cabins. This legislation addresses the major failure by our federal land management agencies to effectively manage our public lands and provides State agencies the opportunity to do better.” Congressman Young’s bill, H.R. 3294, the State Run Federal Lands Act, would provide a process for state controlled management of federal lands for states willing to pay 50 percent of the costs associated with managing the lands. The federal government would retain ownership. “Our forests are in the worst condition they’ve ever been because of Forest Service inaction,” said Congressman Young. “Fires, pollution of the air, no management, and loss of fiber, are all related to the Forest Service. Regardless of perspective on this solution, I think we can all agree that federal management is both expensive and not working well. By allowing cooperative agreements with states who are willing to share the financial obligation, we put some skin in the game.”
Congressman Young speaking on behalf of H.R. 3294, the State Run Federal Lands Act and the major failures of the National Park Service (Click Here to Watch) Congressman Young’s legislation comes on the heels of the National Parks Service and other Department of Interior agencies unnecessarily turning millions of Americans away from open-air monuments, vehicle pull-outs, and restricting hunting opportunities and other activities. ### |
