Congress gives itself control of public land

[mike rossi]

On Wednesday, July 24, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 638 – “ The National Wildlife Refuge Review Act of 2013” — which would remove the Department of the Interior’s authority to establish new national wildlife refuges, instead requiring an act of Congress. Representative John Fleming (R-LA), the bill’s sponsor, expressed concern regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s capacity to manage existing refuges. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR), opposed the bill, arguing that Congress already has the power to reverse wildlife refuge designations.

HR 638 IH

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 638

To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to require that any new

national wildlife refuge may not be established except as expressly authorized by statute.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 13, 2013

Mr. FLEMING (for himself, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. JONES, Mr. FRANKS of

Arizona, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. POSEY, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr.

AMODEI, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Mr. SOUTHERLAND) introduced the following bill; which was

referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to require that any new

national wildlife refuge may not be established except as expressly authorized by statute.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress

assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `National Wildlife Refuge Review Act of 2013'.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NATIONAL

WILDLIFE REFUGES.

(a) In General- Section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16

U.S.C. 668dd(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(6) The Secretary may not establish any national wildlife refuge except as expressly authorized by a

law enacted after January 3, 2013.'.

( Existing Refuges Not Affected- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply with

respect to any national wildlife refuge established on or before January 3, 2013.

[d-bone20917]

So that pretty much ensures there will be no more wildlife refuges established.  Public lands and wildlife conservation are under attack in Washington.

 

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/2013/07/house-introduces-bill-will-cut-funding-many-conservation-programs

 

[mike rossi]

So that pretty much ensures there will be no more wildlife refuges established.  Public lands and wildlife conservation are under attack in Washington.

 

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/2013/07/house-introduces-bill-will-cut-funding-many-conservation-programs

If you are correct, then one wonders what happens to the millions of dollars generated each year which are put into a trust fund to expand the refuge system. What makes this more egregious is that in the last decade or so the DOI/FWS has developed more revenue tools and is generating more money from existing refuges than ever.