DC Dispatch: Forrest on Federal Lands
Posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Jackson Hole resident Forrest McCarthy testified at a hearing on the Role of Federal Lands in Combating Climate Change before the US House of Representatives Sub Committee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on March 3. McCarthy’s testimony focused on the Outdoor Alliance’s perspective that public lands are vital in combating climate change for their role in ecosystem adaptation, their natural ability to sequester carbon, renewable energy projects like wind farm and solar arrays, and providing the opportunity for Americans to stay connected to the natural world.
And now, some observations from the man himself:
It is an electrifying time in the Capital.
Change is in the air. Even with the economic meltdown and all the other challenges our nation faces, a buzz of excitement permeates the halls of congress. Young and vivacious legislative staffers fill offices and hallways, hustling from meeting to meeting with a Blackberry and a snap in their step. Freshman and veteran legislators know there is a new man in town and things are happening fast. Rumors get texted that by Memorial Day a new Energy Bill will be debated in the House and a Climate Change Bill will be out of Committee. And everyone is equally interested in what these Bills will look like. Anything seems possible.
An Exum Guide testifies to the Sub-committee on Parks, Forests, and Public Lands on why climbers, skiers, and kayakers care about climate change and our federal lands. His new Wyoming Congresswoman asks him about conservation easements for the Path of the Pronghorn. Next to him sits the first American to climb K2 explaining to Chairman Grijalva why we need our public lands for wildlife migration routes. The seats behind them are filled not only with lawyers and lobbyists but hikers, biologists, climbers, botanists, boaters, and the owner of Patagonia. And the Legislators are listening.
The conversation is no longer about is climate change happening or even if we are the cause. The conversation on both sides of the aisle is focused on what we need to do about it. A few statements that our only hope is nuclear or we need to log all our forest as bio-fuel are drowned out by a chorus of phrases that include sustainable, renewable, good science, the carbon sequestration value of protected forests and grasslands, migration corridors, and equal consideration of energy recreation and wildlife.
In the new Secretary of the Interior’s office the staff have not had time to unpack boxes or hang anything on the bare walls. They have been too busy assisting Salazar in rolling back the previous administrations last ditch efforts to sell of swaths of southern Utah to energy development and halting eight imminent energy leases in Wyoming.
There is hope on the horizon.
Forrest McCarthy is the Public Lands Director for the Winter Wildlands Alliance. CLICK HERE for his testimony.
