Sarah Elfreth

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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2317 is a comprehensive package of conveyances, conservation designations, and land use authorizations designed to address a series of public land management issues throughout northern Nevada. Representative Amodei has worked for many years on the bill, and his dedication has earned widespread support throughout the State, including from Tribes, counties, and local environmental organizations. By including nearly 150,000 acres of wilderness designation, this bill genuinely attempts to strike a balance between conservation and development. Wilderness designation is reserved for the most remote and undeveloped areas we have left in this country, and the designations included in the bill represent the newest Federal land conservation considered by the House this Congress. While it is encouraging that we are considering legislation that includes new conservation designations, this body also has a responsibility to hold the Trump administration accountable as they try to sell off our public lands. Our Nation's natural treasures and public lands are what make our country great, and the American people do not want to see our great outdoors sold off or stripped for parts. That is why 12 Democrats voted against H.R. 2317 in the Natural Resources Committee markup. As we saw earlier this year from the reconciliation amendment our committee considered at midnight, the idea of public land sales, especially at the scale envisioned in this bill, is deeply unpopular and can lead to destruction of our natural environment for a quick buck. In its current form, the bill even includes provisions green-lighting the sale of public land directly to mining companies. This has facilitated a broad expansion of mining activity without any Federal review or guarantee of a fair return for the American taxpayer. We had worked to resolve those issues before House Republicans brought the bill to the floor for a vote, but they were not, which means there is more work to do before this bill can be signed into law. I understand that this bill is critical for northern Nevada, but we must get the details right. Public lands belong to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.