Articles

 Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) voted in favor of the Public Access and Lands Improvement Act (H.R.2954), a package of 10 bills aimed at increasing and preserving public access to federal lands, facilitating responsible economic development and encouraging transparent land management. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 220-194. 

After the vote, Rep. Gosar said, “This legislation cuts red tape that prevents tourism and economic development on public lands as well as increases public access to important recreation and conservation areas. This important bill provides greater certainty to ranchers and farmers by increasing the length of new grazing permits on public lands and streamlines the actual grazing permitting process. The package is also good for our environment and good for small businesses as the expedited removal of salvageable timber will greatly benefit the forest products industry and also reduce the threats of dangerous wildfires. This legislation is a great start to long overdue public lands reform.”

BACKGROUND:
H.R.2954 promotes responsible economic development on federal lands by advancing local projects that will have a direct impact on jobs and economic growth in their communities. For example, H.R.2954 provides new recreational opportunities in National Parks like Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Elk Refuge by removing antiquated regulations that block the use of hand-propelled vessels like kayaks.

Grazing permits currently require renewal every 10 years in an overly bureaucratic process. Under H.R.2954, the process will be streamlined and permits will only need to be renewed every 20 years, granting ranchers and farmers greater certainty.

Concerning timber, H.R.2954 facilitates the removal of salvageable timber on federal lands in California, which were devastated by last summer’s Rim Fire. The sale of this salvaged timber is not only a boon to local small business but also promotes conservation, as fire-damaged trees are prone to disease, insect infestations and increase risk for future wildfires.