[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 138 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H9904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PRESIDENT'S SCHEME TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, America's public lands are vital to the 
future of this Nation, and I have very serious concerns about the 
President's new scheme to restrict access to these public lands. Most 
Americans recognize the value that public lands hold for its natural 
resources as well as the use and development of those natural resources 
for the quality of life we all enjoy, and no one can deny the 
opportunity that public lands hold for recreation.
  Since these lands are in the public domain, individual costs are low 
and the lands are generally open for all of us to use and enjoy. Now we 
are seeing a fundamental shift in how our lands are managed for our 
access. Historically, we have allowed the public to access our lands in 
the public domain, but unfortunately it appears the President is 
setting a trend toward keeping our public lands closed unless posted 
open. This scheme is completely unacceptable to all Americans who use 
our public lands. To say the public cannot access their lands unless 
the Federal Government gives them permission is fundamentally opposite 
to the freedoms our country was founded upon.
  I yield back, Mr. Speaker, the balance of the time I have and any 
access America has to its public lands.

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