Number: 1981-32
WHEREAS, public access to public land for recreational purposes of fishing, hunting, hiking, birding, or other activity is becoming increasingly more difficult; and
WHEREAS, public land disposal through sale, exchange, or other means is often accomplished without due consideration of public access needs and/or requirements; and
WHEREAS, public access to public lands is often denied through strategically located privately owned or controlled lands; and
WHEREAS, this disposal of public lands and denial of public access creates inequity in the public enjoyment and use of public lands and waters and their inherent resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, requests all federal and state agencies to abide by existing applicable law governing disposal of public lands, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and appropriate State law, to assure that public lands are not disposed where public access is or can become an immediate problem in the near- and long-term to the public use and enjoyment of such public lands and waters and their inherent resources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation seek the cooperative and coordinated effort of Federal, state, and private agency and interest to keep and/or restore public access across privately owned or controlled lands through conservation easement or other negotiation and consent to assure public use and enjoyment of the public lands and waters and their inherent resources.