Last week, the House of Representatives failed to pass the Omnibus Public Lands Act (S. 22) by the required 2/3 majority. The bill passed 282-144, but fell 2 votes short! Nevada Congresswomen and conservation champions Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus both voted for the bill, but unfortunately, Representative Dean Heller voted against it. For more background, read the March 12th article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal here.
In January, under the forceful leadership of our own Senator Harry Reid, the Senate passed the legislation 73-21. If the House does not pass this legislation, it is possible the legislation will have to start from scratch–a monumental and unlikely effort with the packed Congressional agenda ahead. The legislation will be taken up again by the House, and we need you to take the following actions to ensure its success:
1) Send a letter to the editor thanking Berkley and Titus for their leadership. Call on Dean Heller to join them in support of the legislation. You can write letters@reviewjournal.com in response to the linked article above, or send one to letters@lasvegassun.com.
2) Call Dean Heller’s Southern Nevada office (it’s ok if you are not in his district–call him as a concerned Nevadan) 702-255-1651.
Here’s a reminder of what is at stake. The Omnibus Public Lands bill will provide:
- Authorization of the National Landscape Conservation System in the Bureau of Land Management, a critical authorization that will allow the BLM to better fulfill its conservation obligations.
- Designate nearly 2 million acres of public lands as wilderness in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia.
- A provision to expand the Nevada Cancer Institute
- A provision for land to the City of Henderson for green space and a business part.
Our grandchildren will have the same opportunities for memorable visits to this place that we have — if Congress acts decisively. Thank you for taking action today on this important matter.
Red Rock snowstorm by Nick Dobric
Passed! have a look at http://www.wildnevada.org for more info.