Number: 1980-34
WHEREAS, legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress would transfer ownership of certain categories of federal lands in the West to the states; and
WHEREAS, some states have enacted similar legislation or have it under consideration; and
WHEREAS, these lands are highly valuable resources which merit scientific management of a scope and quality currently beyond the capabilities of the state governments; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of federal funds for roads and trails, fire suppression and presuppression, and range, watershed and wildlife management on these lands far exceeds the revenues from them and would become financial burdens for the states if the ownerships were transferred; and
WHEREAS, the states would lose significant incomes from payments in lieu of taxes, forest receipts, and mineral royalties; and
WHEREAS, existing laws provide for these lands to be retained in federal ownership for multiple use management for the benefit of the largest number of citizens rather than special interest groups; and
WHEREAS, the so-called “Sagebrush Rebellion” is supported principally by individuals, organizations, and public officials within the states who are seeking to gain control of the lands for purposes of commercial exploitation; and
WHEREAS, if transferred to the states, many lands would pass into private ownership to the detriment of fish and wildlife and other natural resources and to the exclusion of those who use them for a variety of outdoor recreational activities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1980, in Miami Beach, Fla., hereby expresses its firm opposition to the large-scale transfer of western federal lands to the States others than those lands authorized to be conveyed to the States in their statehood acts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization deplores the pressures being exerted upon federal agencies by some users motivated by single interest benefits or personal profits to prevent the application of sound resource management principles to the publicly-owned federal lands.