After signing a petition to our congress critter re: H.R. 1459, I received the following reply. A form email surely, but at least a reply. Since the bill did pass the House and will be sent to the Senate where, I hear, it will most likely die a speedy and merciful death, I offer the following below the fold for the public record, which gives the non-answer/rationale for the Republican support.
April 2, 2014
Mr. Meldrum Gray
xxxxxxxxxxx
Knoxville, Tennessee 37922
Dear Mr. Gray:
Thank you for contacting in opposition to H.R. 1459. I always appreciate hearing from those whom I represent in the Congress.
Congressman Rob Bishop of Utah, the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, introduced H.R. 1459 as the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act.
This bill would require public participation before a President can designate a national monument under the Antiquities Act. Congressman Bishop thought it was important that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 apply to the President like it does for all other federal agencies.
National monuments are one of the most restrictive of all land use designations. They can significantly block public access and limit public recreation and other job-creating economic activities. Congressman Bishop feels that the American people and their elected leaders deserve to have a say in which of their lands deserve special protections as national monuments and which should, instead, be allowed to contribute to the full range of recreational, conservation, economic, and resource benefits that carefully managed multiple-use lands provide.
Congressman Bishop drafted H.R. 1459 so it would guarantee public involvement and ensure that the designation process is transparent by requiring all national monument designations made under the Antiquities Act to comply with the NEPA process. He notes that most, if not all, major land use decisions are statutorily required to go through the NEPA process. He believes that designations made by the President should be treated no differently than those other processes.
Congressman Bishop believes that H.R. 1459 upholds the original intention of the Antiquities Act, which is to allow the President to act in emergency situations. The President retains his ability to act if there is an eminent threat to an American antiquity by allowing for a temporary emergency designation of 5,000 acres or less for a 3-year period. After that time, in order to ensure public participation in the process, the designation would be made permanent if the NEPA process is completed or if it is approved by Congress.
I understand that you disagree with Congressman Bishop's rationale for introducing this bill, but I must report that the bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 222-201. It is now pending in the United States Senate.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about this issue. If I can be of further assistance to you, your family or friends, please do not hesitate to let me know.
With kindest regards, I am
Yours truly,
JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.
Member of Congress
JJD:md