Last fall, I pointed out that the Republican Platform contained previsions to transfer significant portions of our public lands to the States. This consideration set off an alarm for me, based upon what I have observed the States have been going through economically, the past 20 years. As efforts have increased to reduce the size of the federal government and cut taxes for the wealthy, States have found it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to fund the responsibilities being transferred to them. We have seen several States approaching bankruptcy and having to sell off infrastructure assets to balance their budgets. One example of this problem has been in the elimination of federal grant funds for the states to help support education and transportation. The lose of these monies placed a major financial burden on the states which has had negative impacts upon the education programs and the transportation projects in many states. Just the opposite of what Congress did to support education soon after the United States was established. Remember the Land Ordinance of 1785? This early law set aside section 16 in every township for school support and later section 36 was also added. The intent was to use revenues generated from the lands to support local schools. Over the years, many of these lands have been sold to private and corporate developers for short term financial gains to help fund State budgets.
According to the Washington Post, efforts have now begun to initiate the Republican Platform. Ryan Zinke, Director of the Department of Interior, has just recommended to the President that 10 of the western National Monuments be reduced in size and the remaining lands opened up to cattle grazing, mining and timber harvesting. This is just the beginning!
Remember the two top environmental issues we face worldwide, population expansion and deforestation? We have already lost over 50% of our forest covered lands and our population will reach 10 BILLION in just 34 years. I can assure you that transferring these lands to the states for management will result in the selling of these vital assets to private corporations and individuals, who will develop these lands for economic gain. These lands are the property of the American citizens and must be protected and managed to sustain life on our planet. If you care about the future, you need to get involved! These Representatives, Senators and the Administration are PUBLIC SERVANTS representing you and must be held accountable!
I must point out that I am not a supporter of the Preservation concept of management, nor the current concept of Conservation management. I strongly support change that focuses on managing our valuable forests for health and diversity. When properly applied, the results will provide renewable natural resources from the forests, and will maintain the natural world we depend upon for our survival!
According to the Washington Post, efforts have now begun to initiate the Republican Platform. Ryan Zinke, Director of the Department of Interior, has just recommended to the President that 10 of the western National Monuments be reduced in size and the remaining lands opened up to cattle grazing, mining and timber harvesting. This is just the beginning!
Remember the two top environmental issues we face worldwide, population expansion and deforestation? We have already lost over 50% of our forest covered lands and our population will reach 10 BILLION in just 34 years. I can assure you that transferring these lands to the states for management will result in the selling of these vital assets to private corporations and individuals, who will develop these lands for economic gain. These lands are the property of the American citizens and must be protected and managed to sustain life on our planet. If you care about the future, you need to get involved! These Representatives, Senators and the Administration are PUBLIC SERVANTS representing you and must be held accountable!
I must point out that I am not a supporter of the Preservation concept of management, nor the current concept of Conservation management. I strongly support change that focuses on managing our valuable forests for health and diversity. When properly applied, the results will provide renewable natural resources from the forests, and will maintain the natural world we depend upon for our survival!
