GOP House Moves Against Public Lands on Its Opening Day

[Vollmer]

Courtesy BLM/Bob Wick
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Public land in northwestern New Mexico.

BY BOB MARSHALL​

It didn’t take long for the GOP Congress to tell sportsmen how serious it is about giving away our national public lands.

Yesterday, on its first day in session, the House amended a rule to make it easier to justify transfer of ownership to states, by changing the way it calculates the financial cost of the move to the nation.
The change passed 233–190, largely on party lines, with the GOP overwhelmingly in favor.

Although President-elect Donald J. Trump and his nominee for Secretary of Interior, Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, have publicly opposed such transfers, this change doesn’t require presidential approval.

Key GOP lawmakers, such as House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bob Bishop of Utah, have been strong supporters of giving states larger control over the federal lands that belong to all Americans. Under the rule that had been in place for years, any costs to the nation of such transfers—including loss of property value—would have to be offset by cuts in federal spending elsewhere.

That is no longer a concern for those seeking to take national lands for state, or even private, management or ownership.

A statement that Rep. Raul Grijalva (D–N.M.) gave the Washington Post probably best sums up sportsmen’s objections: “The House Republican plan to give away America’s public lands for free is outrageous and absurd.

“This proposed rule change would make it easier to implement this plan by allowing the Congress to give away every single piece of property we own, for free, and pretend we have lost nothing of any value. Not only is this fiscally irresponsible, but it is also a flagrant attack on places and resources valued and beloved by the American people.”

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers president and CEO Land Tawney didn’t hesitate letting Congress know how his group feels about the move. “Some of our elected officials are wasting no time in paving the way to steal our outdoor heritage,” Tawney said in a statement. “If it’s a fight they want, they’ve got one coming.”

 

[2400]

Courtesy BLM/Bob Wick
​

Public land in northwestern New Mexico.

BY BOB MARSHALL​

A statement that Rep. Raul Grijalva (D–N.M.) (This asshole is a D from Tucson AZ in addition to being a drunk womanizer he panders to illegals) gave the Washington Post probably best sums up sportsmen’s objections: “The House Republican plan to give away America’s public lands for free is outrageous and absurd.

This guy would and has tried to give away everything you can think of to anyone that can line his pockets.

 

[Kurtr]

Land Tawney is a detriment to bcha it is a group with principal I like but he is as crooked as any politician

 

[Flatrock]

Republicans are good for guns but they are incredibly terrible when it comes to public lands and nobody is worse than Bishop from Utah. Republicans would love to either sell the public lands or give them to the states. Which if the states get control of them, they'll slowly be sold.

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Land Tawney is a detriment to bcha it is a group with principal I like but he is as crooked as any politician

Please give some examples.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

Vollmer's story came from Field and Stream. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D–N.M) remarks came from the Washington Post. Every paper is trying to be first to scoop the story. In a hurry to meet deadlines they go back to their old contacts. ..............Land Tawney.

Kurtr, Land Tawney created Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He also created Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, Montana Hunters and Anglers Action and Sportsmen for Obama. He helped create Bull Moose Sportsmen in Colorado. These are spin offs. He used to work for the National Wildlife Federation as a regional director and during the BP oil spill in the Gulf they created another NGO called, Vanishing Paradise.

When the papers need an opinion, they call Land Tawney.