House Bill Lifts Lands Protections from Alaska to Arizona

Environment America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At 5 pm today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a package of bills that represent another direct attack on the Best of America: from Alaska’s ancient forests to the shores of North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras, not to mention all public lands within 100 miles of the nation’s border. Environment America joins with conservation groups, sportsmen, Native American tribal organizations, businesses and Hispanic and immigration reform advocates to oppose H.R. 2578 the so-called “Conservation and Economic Growth Act.”

Environment America’s Preservation Advocate Nancy Pyne released the following statement:

“This package of bills is yet another radical attempt by House Republican Leadership to turn our nation’s public lands over to major polluters in the oil, gas and other extractive industries, and undermines the cornerstone environmental laws that have protected treasured lands for generations. H.R. 2578 is a package of anti-conservation bills that seeks to waive dozens of common-sense public health safeguards like the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts in border states, allow clear-cutting in the old growth forests of Alaska, permit motorized vehicle use in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and critical habitat along Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, and weaken environmental laws like the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

“We thank Representatives Grijalva and Markey for their leadership working to defeat H.R. 2578. Congress should unilaterally reject this package.”