Young Reacts to BLM’s Eastern Interior Management Plan
“Akin to Putting Glue in the Locks Before Returning the Keys”
Washington, D.C.,
January 6, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared the following statement condemning the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Easter Interior Management Plan for Alaska:
“The management plan approved by the BLM for Alaska’s Eastern Interior shows the Obama Administration’s true disdain for the State of Alaska and its people,” said Congressman Don Young. “Regardless of what the BLM says, Alaskans know that a vast majority of this area will be managed like wilderness – restricting access and blocking resource development. This area has a century old mining heritage – which is still active today – and it is appalling that President Obama, weeks before leaving office, finds it necessary to target these hard-working Alaskan families and small businesses. Again and again, the BLM believes it is above the law. This action not only breaks the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, which directs the BLM to manage lands for multiple use, including mining, but it also violates ANILCA’s “no more” clause which prevents further withdrawals by the Federal government. It’s truly disturbing that President Obama would move forward with this plan; it’s akin to putting glue in the locks before returning the keys. This, along with a number of atrocious actions taken in Alaska, will be added to the laundry list of items we’ll be working to overturn come January 20th."
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