CWF Protests to BLM oil and gas lease auctions

November 30, 2005

[sign-on list updated December 5, 2005]

The Honorable Wayne Allard
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC  20510

5401 Stone Creek Circle, Ste. 203
Loveland, Colorado  80538
Transmitted by Facsimile to both offices

Dear Senator Allard: 

On behalf of the undersigned sportsmen's groups in Colorado, we strongly urge that you vote against retention of the hardrock mining amendments, Subtitle B, of the House Budget Reconciliation bill, H.R. 4241.   These provisions, inserted into this budget bill without an opportunity for public discussion, would reverse the moratorium that was imposed on patents in 1994, and would amend the 1872 Mining Act to require the federal government to sell public land to claim holders.  

Colorado's public lands are riddled with an estimated 5,107 mining claims comprising an estimated 123,477 acres.  Under this bill, to purchase a claim, the claim holder merely must file a claim or block of claims, present evidence of minimal "mineral development work" (defined very broadly), pay for a survey and get the deed.  The bill clearly directs the federal government to sell the lands to such claim holders, using the words, "The Secretary shall..."    H.R. 4241 does not only revoke the 1994 moratorium.  It opens the door to land speculation by allowing the purchase of lands contiguous to mining claims or mill sites without any requirement that a valuable mineral be discovered.  This additional provision could allow the privatization of extensive acreage above and beyond the approximately 123,000 acres of  "active" claims.  

This sell-off of public land acreage would deprive Colorado hunters and anglers, as well as other outdoor recreationists, of thousands of acres of the public lands on which they rely and which they properly view as a legacy to future generations.

Before the 1994 moratorium was imposed, the General Accounting Office reported that it repeatedly found patented sites in the West that had been turned into housing developments and resorts.  Subtitle B not only reverses the moratorium but serves to encourage claim holders to turn public acreage subject to claims into private real estate ventures.   Section 6204 provides that a claim holder may purchase federal lands subject to a claim or merely contiguous to mining claims or patents  - not only for mining, but for any purpose that could "facilitate sustainable economic development," subject only to a minimal requirement of "mineral development work' (which could consist simply of surveys or paper feasibility studies). As Coloradans, we are all too familiar with the activities of certain land speculators who specialize in purchasing inholdings of our public lands for purposes of mansion developments.   What a gift this law would bestow upon such inholdings opportunists.

4045 Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 20, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033  (303 987-0400 Fax (303) 987-0200

www.coloradowildlife.org             cwfed@coloradowildlife.org

We have heard that offers might be made to provide assurances that hunters and anglers will be given some access to public lands purchased by claim holders.  We are at a loss to comprehend how this could possibly be effective short of requiring patents to be issued subject to conservation easements preserving public access and habitat integrity.  We are compelled to note this current example: the Bureau of Land Management conveyed Roan Plateau land to an oil company, subject to a 20-year court -ordered hunting and fishing access provision covering 20,000 acres.  Now, 20 years later, the company is considering closing access in August of 2006.  Local sportsmen and elected leaders are expressing outrage and, therefore, the company's spokesman stated this week it  "hopes that lawmakers will find a way to protect EnCana from potential liability associated with public access."  Having to negotiate continued access to public lands that would become privatized under the House provision presents an unworkable outcome.  We strongly believe that any legislated access measure will not mitigate the loss of current enjoyment of hunting and fishing pursuits on public lands.  Access is a poor substitute for the intrinsic value of public ownership.  Habitat will become more fragmented, various trails will be closed, and private ownership will undermine sound wildlife management policy in game management units. 

Sincerely,

The Colorado Wildlife Federation
Suzanne O'Neill, Board Chair

 

National Wildlife Federation
Steve Torbit,  Rocky Mountain Resource Center Director

Within four business days since the writing of this letter, the following 43 Colorado sportsmen's organizations have added their signature.    

American Bowman Club
Timothy Lawrence, President

Bear Paw Archers
Michael Mowbry, President

Big Thompson Bowhunters
Jeff Lampe, President

Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Allyn Kratz, President

Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Frank Yaeger, President

Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Matt Kenna, Co-Chair

Colorado Bowhunters Association
Dennis Myer, Chair

Colorado Mule Deer Association, Grand Junction Chapter
Colby Olford, President

Colorado Sportsmen's Wildlife Fund
Dick Steele

Colorado State Muzzle Loading Association
Jerry Ferringer, Wildlife Director

Colorado Traditional Archers
Frank Adams, Past Chair

Colorado Trappers Association
Opal Watts, President

Colorado Trout Unlimited
Dave Nickum, Executive Director         

Colorado Wildlife Federation
Suzanne O'Neill, President

Colorado Wildlife Society
Eric Odell, President

Columbine Bowmen
Tom Younger, President

Evergreen Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Hal Garwood, President

Ferdinand Hayden Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Paula Fothergill, President

Five Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Tom Jones, President

Four Corners Houndsmen Association
Lester Mundy, President

Frenchman Creek Pheasants Forever
Rick Vanderheiden, President

Front Range Archers
Glenn Schultz, Secretary/Treasurer

Gore Range Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Andy Gentry, President

Grand County Archers
Bill Wolvin, President

Grand Mesa Bowmen
Kenny Coates, President

Gunnison Angling Society
Lowell Tra, President

Kit Carson County Pheasants Forever
Chuck Clapper, President

Meeker Sportsmen's Club
Marshall Baker, President

Mile High Bass Masters
John Murphy

Montrose Rod & Gun Club
Mel Jensen, Secretary

Pagosa Bow Club
Ed Huddleston

Piedra Bowhunters
David Rice, President

Red Feather Bowmen
George Osborn

Rifle Sportsmen Club
Mike Grimm, Executive Officer

Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Greg Evans, President

Smoky River Pheasants Forever
Scott Smith, President

Southern Colorado Greenbacks Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Pat McGraw, President

St. Vrain Archery Club
Roger Trudell,  President

Tebeguache Archers Club
Tom Loczy, President

Tri-Service Sportsmen's Club
Phillip Mill, Treasurer

White Sage Shooting Sports Club
Joel Gossett, Owner

Wild Trout Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Elbert Bivins, President

Yuma County Pheasants Forever
Jerry Thompson, President