[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            WAR ON THE WEST

  (Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, the administration continues its 
was on the West with Bruce Babbitt as its point man. The Federal 
Government has become a burden in all parts of the country. Too many 
regulations, excessive rules, and bureaucratic overkill. But imagine 
what it would be like if 50 percent, up to 85 percent, of your State 
belonged to the Federal Government? The issue is not parks or the issue 
is not forests that have been set aside for a special purpose and are 
properly managed that way.
  The problem lies with residual lands, that were simply left there 
after the homesteading for no particular reason. Indeed, they were 
managed by BLN pending disposal, but are still being managed by BLN.
  In order to have an economy in a Western State, you must and able to 
fold in multiple-use lands into your economic future, to develop jobs, 
and to develop tax base, and to have support for towns and schools, and 
to protect the environment.
  The Babbitt attack seeks to restrict this multiple use. It affects 
grazing and land reform, it affects oil and coal and gas. And, Mr. 
Speaker, this needs to be changed so that we can develop an economy and 
a future for the West.

                          ____________________