America’s Great Outdoors - Join the Conversation

Do you know about the project from the Department of the Interior to get Americans involved in the issues facing us all - environment, land access, land use, regulations, etc

Well - here is your opportunity to become part of the solution - Make your voice heard - but keep it positive please there is already enough ranting on the site. Tell the government what you would like to see and explain the importance of public access:

Americans have a proud tradition of working together - from the ground-up - to conserve farmland and open space for future generations, restore rivers and streams, protect areas for hiking and biking, preserve beaches and coastlines, conserve wildlife habitat for fishing and hunting, and restore the cultural and historic sites that tell America’s story. In fact, community-driven efforts to conserve America’s land, water, and wildlife are a major reason why we are blessed with the parks, refuges, forests, and open spaces that we enjoy today.

Starting with the White House Conference on the Great Outdoors on April 16, President Obama has launched a national dialogue about conservation in America. As part of this dialogue, we are bringing together ranchers, farmers and forest landowners, sportsmen and women, state and local government leaders, tribal leaders, public-lands experts, conservationists, youth leaders, business representatives, and others to learn about some of the smart, creative ways communities are conserving outdoor spaces.

We hope you will join the conversation about America’s Great Outdoors. We want to hear from you about the places you love, your community’s efforts to protect them, and how we can better support modern-day land and water conservation efforts happening in communities across the country.

http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Join-the-Conversation.cfm

Omnibus Federal Lands Bill - AGAIN?

There has been talk again about the Omnibus Federal Lands Bill...

One blog reports....

Please, call your US Senators (and others) at least once a day for the next two weeks. Their phones, faxes and e-mail machines must not stop ringing. When you reach their office, ask to speak to the staffer handling the Omnibus Federal Lands Bill being finalized by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Here’s what you can say:

• You oppose the Omnibus Federal Lands Bill that will likely include the LWCF Trust Fund (S 3663):please vote against it.
• You oppose the Corps and EPA Wetlands Land Grab (HR 5088 and S 787): please vote against it.
• They must filibuster, place a hold on, or otherwise delay the Omnibus Federal Lands Bill for careful bipartisan consideration in the next session of Congress.
• Respectfully tell them that you will look to see how they voted and if they haven’t already been retired, their vote on the Omnibus Federal Lands Bill will determine how you vote in the next election.

The Omnibus vote could come as early as this week or it may be delayed until next week or even later. Please forward this message to your entire e-mail list.

http://www.terimurrison.com/2010/12/express-yourself-join-mounting-opposition-to-omnibus-federal-lands-bill/

This one also boasts one of the more complete listings of legislators contact info!

For info on whether your legislator voted in favor of the 2009 Bill see this site! I think you will be surprised to see that while we can't agree on taxes or health care - grabbing land from the public seems to have bi-partisan support!

http://www.landrights.org/OmnibusSenatorsContacts101130.pdf