Since the Republicans have been giving you a few more grey hairs, why not celebrate your birthday by creating Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah as your birthday gift to the American people? It's almost 2 million acres of archeological, cultural and wild public land---and you can save it from further plunder with a stroke of the pen.
And while you're at it, sometime this week you may have the chance to sign one of the largest Wilderness bills since you came to office in the Boulder White Clouds --- one that will give permanent protection to about 250,000 acres in Idaho. This bill has already passed the House, and if it gets to the Senate floor this week it will pass. If it doesn't move this week, you should do what John Podesta told the bill's sponsor last year: make it Boulder White Clouds National Monument.
Here's what Energy and Environment News (sub) said yesterday:
The legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), would designate more than 275,000 acres of wilderness protecting central Idaho's mountains, salmon streams and big-game habitat. Passed by voice vote last week in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and by voice in the House, the measure is now one Senate vote shy of reaching the president's desk.
An aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the majority leader will look to pass the legislation this week by unanimous consent before the chamber adjourns for the August recess.
If signed by President Obama -- the administration has testified in support -- it would be the biggest wilderness bill to pass Congress since 2009. The bill would designate more wilderness in Idaho than what was designated in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act in five Western states (Greenwire, Dec. 12, 2014).
Go Bold, Mr. President, and Go Wild on your birthday!
Wed Aug 05, 2015 at 1:38 PM PT: Boulder White Clouds Wilderness Bill passes Senate---Obama's pen is poised to sign.
Looks like the lever of potential National Monument designation works sometimes!
The late Idaho Senator and Wilderness Act co-author Frank Church must be beaming. Cecil Andrus is happy too.
Keep on the push for National Monuments, Mr. President!