[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1139-E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND JERRY PEAK WILDERNESS ADDITIONS 
                                  ACT

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2015

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express 
my disappointment that yesterday the House approved H.R. 1138, the 
Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions 
Act, by voice vote.
  Throughout my career in Congress, I have strongly supported 
protection of America's wilderness, and applaud efforts to bring new 
lands into the National Wilderness Preservation System. However, 
provisions of this bill that will divide large tracts of roadless 
National

[[Page E1140]]

Forest land give me great concern. While this legislation made 
important improvements over previous versions, motorized/mechanized 
corridors including at Germania Creek divide one of the nation's most 
pristine wilderness areas and reduces the habitat available to 
vulnerable wildlife.
  In order to provide stronger protection for pristine wilderness in 
Idaho and other parts of the Northern Rockies, I have introduced the 
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA)--which would 
designate 23 million acres of roadless lands as permanent wilderness. 
This bill would protect vulnerable habitats, connect biological 
corridors, and restore habitats that have been damaged by road 
construction and clear cutting.
  I am pleased to see Congress turn its attention to the Northern 
Rockies, but hope that Members will recognize the significant 
shortfalls of H.R. 1138. As it is considered in the Senate, this 
legislation should be amended to preserve one of the largest roadless 
wilderness areas in the lower 48 states, as well as grant protection to 
additional areas in the Northern Rockies identified in NREPA.

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