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Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2004

Date: Sept. 21, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment


RIGHT-TO-RIDE LIVESTOCK ON FEDERAL LANDS ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - September 21, 2004)

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2966) to preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use, and for other purposes, as amended.

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GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Mexico?

There was no objection.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2966, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), will preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on our public lands where there is a historical tradition of such use. Mr. Speaker, the claim may be made by some that the bill singles out pack and saddle use and affords it greater consideration than other forms of recreation or commercial use.

I would argue that pack and saddle use has played a far greater historic role on our public lands, particularly in our Western States, than simply recreation. What may be perceived by some today as recreation was a vital part of everyday living throughout our Nation's history. In addition, this bill in no way diminishes the secretary's ability to implement emergency closures or permanent reductions in the use and access of these pack and stock animals after complying with the full public review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2966, as amended, codifies our commitment to access and to preserving one of the most fundamental and truly historic ways to experience our public lands. The bill is supported by the majority and minority of the committee. I urge its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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