WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill this week and released the accompanying bill report which includes language directing the BLM not to merge the Arizona and New Mexico field offices:
Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill this week and released the accompanying bill report which includes language directing the BLM not to merge the Arizona and New Mexico field offices:
“I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee heard the call of Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02) and I to include strong language in the Interior Appropriations process directing the Bureau of Land Management not to merge the Arizona and New Mexico BLM field offices.
“The bipartisan Committee didn't mince words and condemned this misguided proposal stating, 'The Committee directs the Bureau not to consolidate the Arizona and New Mexico State offices and reminds the Bureau that office consolidation proposals are subject to the Committee’s reprogramming requirements.'
“Neither Arizona nor New Mexico would benefit from this ill-advised plan by the BLM. Residents of both states would experience permitting delays, job losses, increased wildfires and less efficient land management as a result of this terrible proposal. Congressman Pearce and I have worked tirelessly to stop this disastrous attempt by the BLM, and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent this misguided idea.”
Background
As a result of having backing from the bipartisan Appropriations Committee, the Gosar/Pearce effort is likely to prevent the merger of the BLM Arizona/New Mexico state field offices for at least one year.
On May 6, 2015, Congressmen Gosar and Pearce as well as several of their colleagues sent a letter to BLM Director Neil Kornze opposing the proposed merger. To read more about this effort click HERE
On May 18, 2015, Congressman Gosar as well as senior members of the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Committee of Oversight and Government Reform sent another letter strongly discouraging this merger and asking pointed questions. To read more about this effort click HERE
The Committee language blocking this proposal is found on page 11 of the Committee Report found HERE
