The Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources had a markup (votes were taken) on June 16, 2010 to consider H. Res. 1406, introduced by Representatives Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and Rob Bishop (R-Utah). This resolution of inquiry is aimed at requiring the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) to turn over to the U.S. House of Representatives all documents related to the potential National Monument designations.

 

H. Res. 1406 passed the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources with a favorable recommendation by voice vote. The House Leadership and Chairman Rahall must now schedule H. Res. 1406 for consideration on the House floor.

 

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging the U.S. House of Representatives to consider H. Res. 1406 as soon as possible. In addition to the letter to Speaker Pelosi, the AMA also sent a letter on June 29 to every Member of Congress urging them to support H. Res. 1406. This resolution needs the support of the U.S. House of Representatives so the American people will know exactly what plans are being discussed regarding responsible motorized recreation on millions of acres of land. For this reason, the AMA is urging all Members of Congress to cosponsor and vote yes on H. Res. 1406. The AMA will be scoring resolution cosponsors and this vote for the 111th Congress. To see if your Representative is a cosponsor, click here. To see the AMA’s scorecard for the U.S. House, click here.

 

Prior to the markup on June 16, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources considered H. Res. 1254 on May 5, introduced by Representatives Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and Rob Bishop (R-Utah). This resolution was similar to H. Res. 1406. H. Res. 1254 was in response to the letter Hastings, Bishop and 14 members of Congress sent to DOI Secretary Ken Salazar in February requesting further information related to an internal document that revealed the Administration is considering designating 13 million acres of land as National Monuments using the Antiquities Act without any public debate. This unilateral action by the Administration could potentially prohibit responsible off-highway riding in the affected areas. 

 

 

In response to the markup on May 5 and the congressional letter, the DOI provided a limited release of only 383 pages out of more than 2,000 pages of internal documentation related to the consideration of National Monument designations. This is not sufficient disclosure of information.  The AMA urges the DOI to release all documentation pertaining to the congressional request.

 

Despite bi-partisan support at the May 5 markup on H. Res. 1254, a motion to favorably report the measure was not agreed to by a vote of 20 yeas to 22 nays. In a separate motion, a voice vote agreed to report H. Res. 1254 without recommendation. That means the decision to bring the resolution to the House floor rests with Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.) and House leadership.

 

As a result of the failure to report H. Res. 1254 favorably and the failure by Sec. Salazar to bring these documents in question to a recent hearing, Reps. Hastings and Bishop introduced another resolution of inquiry (H. Res. 1406) to force the DOI to release all documentation pertaining to the congressional request.

 

In addition to the congressional letter, the AMA sent a letter to Salazar addressing the responsible riding community’s concerns of its members and other user groups, stating its opposition to recommend the designation of 13 million acres of National Monument areas without any public debate. The DOI responded to the AMA’s letter, claiming the internal document was merely a “brainstorming session.” To view DOI’s response, click here.   

 

The AMA supports H. Res. 1406 and urges its members and, all motorcycle and ATV (all-terrain vehicle) riders, to contact Speaker Pelosi and their Representatives to voice their support for this resolution.

 

You can find contact information for your elected officials at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation, then enter your zip code in the “Find Your Officials” box. A prewritten e-mail is available for you to send Speaker Pelosi by clicking here. You can send a prewritten e-mail to your Representative immediately by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information. The AMA encourages riders to personalize their message by drawing on their own personal riding experiences.

 

Please write or call Speaker Pelosi and your Representative today and urge them to cosponsor and vote yes for H. Res. 1406.