Conservation System Permanence Campaign
H.R.2016
- Title: To establish the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes.
- Sponsor: Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (67)
Related Bills: H.RES.1084, S.1139 - Latest Major Action: 4/10/2008 Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 634.
House Reports: 110-561
Bill Summary
- National Landscape Conservation System Act - Establishes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the National Landscape Conservation System (thus, enacting into law the National Landscape Conservation System [NLCS] created by BLM in 2000) in order to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.
- Requires that the NLCS include each of the following areas administered by BLM: (1) each area that is designated as a national monument, a national conservation area, a wilderness study area, a national scenic trail or historic trail designated as a component of the National Trails System, a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (2) any area designated by Congress to be administered for conservation purposes, including the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (as designated under the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000), the Headwaters Forest Reserve, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, and any additional area designated by Congress for inclusion in the NLCS.
- Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to enhance, diminish, or modify any law or proclamation (or regulations related to such law or proclamation) under which the components of the NLCS specified above were established, or are managed, including, but not limited to, the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Trails System Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Background
The National Landscape Conservation System is a 26 million-acre collection of national monuments, national conservation areas, wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national trails. These crown jewels of the lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management contain the very first imprints people made upon the North American landscape and are some of the last places to experience the history and wild beauty of the American West.
The Conservation System was created seven years ago during the administration of President William J. Clinton. However, only Congress can permanently establish the Conservation System through legislation and provide permanent protection for this great network of American lands and waters.
In 2007, several organizations that champion the Conservation System, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supported the introduction of bi-partisan legislation to permanently protect the Conservation System. H.R. 2016 and S.1139 would provide statutory recognition for the Conservation System and formally recognize that lands within Conservation System exist primarily for the purpose of conserving cultural and natural landscapes.
Outlook
The Senate Energy Committee is working on a second public lands package (upwards of 90 bills) that would include the Senate companion bill (S. 1139) establishing a permanent authorization for the National Landscape Conservation System under the Bureau of Land Management. The House passed its own version of the permanence bill (HR 2016) with amendments on April 9th which substantially differs from the Senate version.
The National Trust and its Conservation System Alliance partners have been working to remove some of these amendments regarding grazing rights,legal cause and energy development because of their potential impact on Conservation System lands.
The Energy Committee panel is expected to conduct a series of mark ups on the various bills to be included in the omnibus parks/lands package which may not see floor action until September.
