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(Richard D. Hall,
The Modesto Bee, 2/28/81)
WASHINGTON.
Interior Secretary James G. Watt is expected to ask Congress to change the law so that he -and not Congress- could open certain non-wilderness lands to mining, grazing, and timber harvesting without delay.
The issue could become the controversial Watt’s first major clash with congressmen and conservation groups.
“We could oppose that very strongly.” Said Terry Sopher of The Wilderness Society, referring to a possible change in the law.
At issue are the 24 million acres in the West administered by Bureau of Land Management which are being studied for possible inclusion in the Wilderness Act.
Under the law, Watt must tell Congress which of those lands his department believes meet the criteria for wilderness. Then it would be up to Congress to decide for itself, and take two separate actions: designating those lands for wilderness and specifically opening the other lands to mining, grazing and timber harvesting.
Watt said after a recent meeting with Western governors that those lands not designated for wilderness should immediately be returned for those other uses. Under the law, he noted, that probably wouldn’t happen.
A spokesman for Watt later told The Bee “it appears likely that he will (seek a change in the law). He is looking on it seriously as an option.”
Many conservationists and conservation groups opposed Watt’s appointment as Interior Secretary because he previously headed the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which challenged environmental laws. The center is financed by many developers and utility companies.
The BLM lands being studied have restrictive uses because they could wind up being declared wilderness areas. Until Congress acts, those restrictions will remain.
*C.W.B: An anti-conservationist in charge at the Interior Department is like putting a fox in charge of the chicken coop! This anti-people administration seems to be winning for the moment though this cannot last long- thank God!
2/28/81 Fuel Cost Update: Cost of unleaded gasoline at our local service station has increased 19 cents since Ronald Reagan lifted controls! Less that half of this increase is due to O.P.E.C. price raises.
