House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings on the House floor today announced that the Committee next month will begin consideration of several proposals to designate new wilderness.

Full statement:

“While we are discussing public lands legislation, I would also like to inform the House that the Committee on Natural Resources will soon begin consideration of several proposals to designate new wilderness.

As Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop stated last week, in July the Subcommittee plans to hold a legislative hearing on wilderness proposals. Representative Benishek’s Sleeping Bear Dunes legislation and Representative Reichert’s Alpine Lakes legislation will be considered at this hearing. These and other proposals will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Congress has the sole authority to decide which of our lands should be included in the Wilderness system. Establishing wilderness is the most restrictive land use designations that Congress can apply to our nation’s lands – it greatly limits the American public’s access.  The Committee will therefore carefully and thoughtfully examine wilderness proposals to determine if the designation is appropriate and listen to local citizens and community leaders whose livelihoods and recreational opportunities would be directly affected. The Committee will also consider proposals to ensure multiple-use of our public lands so that they provide a full range of recreational, economic, conservation and resource benefits. Any land-use decisions by Congress should be made carefully, reflect our country’s current economic situation, keep our lands healthy, and exemplify the importance of ensuring public access to public lands.”