Knowing of your interest in land management issues, I wanted to let you know that legislation that I introduced this year to improve management of federal lands and facilitate off-highway vehicle recreation in our Northern California Congressional District was passed by the House of Representatives last week.  The bill, H.R. 689, would allow the consolidation of federal lands in the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area -- located in Shasta County in the northern part of our district -- and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic red-tape for individuals recreating on those lands.  The bill passed the House by voice vote.  I have included the speech I delivered on the House Floor in support of this measure and you can view video of it here.  I will continue my strong support for eliminating bureaucratic red tape, improving land management and promoting wide and varied use of our federal lands in Northern California. Share your thoughts

"I rise today in support of H.R. 689 to interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.  I am a firm believer in policies that limit bureaucracy and limit government interference in our every day lives.  H.R. 689 accomplishes these goals and will also improve access and recreational use of these federal lands.  This bill is a simple jurisdictional exchange between federal agencies to allow for more consolidated and efficient management of the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area in the Northern California congressional district I represent.  For years, many of my constituents have raised their concerns over difficulties in dealing with two federal agencies to use one O-H-V area.  Issues such as duplicative permits - at substantial and unnecessary cost to the users - and even different opening dates for the same area have resulted in frustration from the thousands of users, from across California and elsewhere, who try to cope with this redundant management.

"This noncontroversial exchange was developed collaboratively at the local level by the Forest Service and BLM in conjunction with the local O-H-V community.  The BLM will be able to consolidate the O-H-V area while in exchange the Forest Service will benefit by receiving small tracts of wilderness area that are currently managed by the BLM but are contiguous to Forest Service land.  The exchange only involves lands that are already controlled by the federal government and will not change the designation of these lands.  
"This legislation is a prime example of commonsense solutions and better government that will result in a win-win for the taxpayers and their access to our public lands.  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, thank you."