Press Releases

Congressman Gosar’s Statement on Sec. Salazar ‘Wild Lands’ Memo to Bureau of Land Management Director Abbey

Today, Congressman Gosar released the following statement after Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ken Salazar issued a memorandum to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Directory Bob Abbey on his decision to not implement DOI’s Wild Lands policy:

“The Secretary of Interior’s Wild Lands order was issued without congressional input, was in excess of congressional authority, and failed to consult communities like mine that would be directly and adversely affected,” said Rep. Gosar. “We can achieve a careful balance between wilderness protection and economic activity, but it must be done through the appropriate, transparent process, and within congressional authority.”

“In a district like the one I represent, comprised of nearly 70 percent public land, the multiple-use of public lands is a fundamental aspect of our local economy,” Rep. Gosar continued.  “I welcome the news that the wild lands policy will not be implemented, and remain committed to fighting attempts to prohibit forms of public access, block job-creating activities and manage land as wilderness, without Congressional authorization.”    

Congressman Gosar has been strongly opposed to Secretarial Order 3310 since Secretary Salazar issued the order on December 23^rd, 2010.   This past January, he joined 48 Members of the House of Representatives and eight Senators in sending a letter to Secretary Salazar requesting he withdraw Secretarial Order 3310, which creates a new Wild Lands classification for public lands.  The letter expressed concerns that the policy would destroy jobs and severely obstruct local economies. 

On March, 1, the Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on the Wild Lands policy, where Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Utah Governor Gary R. Herbertand other elected officials from potentially-affected communities testified that the Secretary’s order could lock-up public lands, destroy American jobs, block recreational opportunities and prohibit American energy production.  Further, Congressman Gosar voted for the Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1473) that prohibited the use of funds to implement the new policy.   It was that vote that directly led to today’s result.

Bureau of Land Management administers 12.2 million surface acres and another 17.5 million subsurface acres of public lands within Arizona.  The First Congressional District contains over 2.9 million of those acres. 

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