Durbin Reintroduces Bill to Protect American's Red Rock Wilderness

DURBIN REINTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT AMERICA'S RED ROCK WILDERNESS

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) this week reintroduced legislation to protect America's Red Rock Wilderness, approximately 9.5 million acres of spectacular and rare wilderness in southern Utah. Currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the agency is not prohibited from selling, leasing or building roads in parts of this publicly held land.

"Today is Earth Day, an opportunity for all Americans to rededicate themselves to protecting our nation's precious lands," Durbin said. "I encourage the Senate to do its part as well by supporting the American's Red Rock Wilderness Act, critical legislation that will preserve a national treasure for future generations of Americans."

Durbin's bill would designate 9.5 millions acres in Utah as wilderness under the 1964 Wilderness Act. The bill provides wilderness protection for wildlands, which include steep red rock canyons, enormous arches and towering cliffs with spectacular vistas of unmatched sandstone landscapes. Hidden within this expansive setting are world-renowned archeological sites and habitat for rare plant and animal species. These areas are a haven for those seeking solace in nature, including hikers, backpackers and recreationists.

The lands designated as wilderness in America's Red Rock Wilderness Act were identified through a detailed and extensive public inventory of BLM lands conducted by volunteers from the Utah Wilderness Coalition. America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, by designating wilderness, would protect areas from commercial enterprise/development, motorized/mechanized vehicles, and road building. Non-consumptive uses such as hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, hiking, and horseback riding are permitted under the legislation.

"I believe it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that these fragile lands of magnificent beauty, which already belong to the public, do not fall victim to oil, gas and mining interests, increased commercial development, and proposals to construct roads, utility lines, and dams. We are the stewards of these creations and this bill will help to accomplish this important goal," Durbin concluded.

An identical bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=236861&&