Red Rock Wilderness BillLegislation targets Utah energy, mineral resources![]() July 13, 2009 by Bonner Cohen, Ph. D.Environmentalists and their congressional allies are renewing legislative efforts to have over 9 million acres in Utah designated as wilderness. Sponsored by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) and New York Congressman Maurise Hinchey (D), “America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act” (S. 799 and H.R. 1925) would establish 9.4 million acres of wilderness in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and areas adjacent to Capitol Reef National Park, Cayyonlands National Park, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – all of which are located in Utah By designating this vast tract of federal land as wilderness, all oil and natural gas exploration, mining, and off-highway vehicle use would be prohibited within the boundaries of the area. According to a 2002 estimate by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the area contains roughly 65 million barrels of recoverable oil and 1,495 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas. However, the USGS estimate does not take into account advances in drilling technology which could make the amount of recoverable oil and gas far greater than what was thought to be the case seven years ago. Indeed, 22 percent of Utah’s lands are already off limits to economic activity, and the addition of the proposed Red Rock Wilderness Area would raise that figure to 39 percent. By locking up the area’s substantial natural resources, the bill has become anathema to Utah lawmakers. Not a single member of Utah’s congressional delegation has signed on to co-sponsor the bill, and the legislation has not been endorsed by any political leaders in the state. While Utah public officials make no secret of their opposition to the bill, environmental groups such as the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Sierra Club enthusiastically back the legislation. The Sierra Club’s Web site, for example, invites visitors to compose personalized letters to their senators and representatives in support of the Durbin-Hinchey bill, saying wilderness designation “will give these beautiful lands the protection they deserve.” The first Red Rock Wilderness bill was introduced in 1989, and it sought to set aside some 5 million acres. In the ensuing 20 years, the bill has been re-introduced several times, and the area to be locked up has nearly doubled in size. But fierce opposition from Utah lawmakers and public officials, as well as from other advocates of resource development has kept it from coming up for a vote on the House or Senate floor. The bill currently has around 100 co-sponsors in the House and Senate, almost all of them representing districts and states located hundreds or even thousands of miles from Utah. Passage of the giant omnibus wilderness bill earlier this year, together with the Obama administration’s hostility toward fossil fuels, has given supporters of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act reason to believe that the bill this time will not go down in flames. But opponents are not going to go gently into the night. Rep. Bob Bishop (R-Utah) has called the bill “ridiculous.” In the same vein, some 50 House Republicans, many of them members of the Congressional Western Caucus, have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar criticizing efforts to curtail energy development in the West, and pointing to the devastating economic effect such short-sighted policies have on rural communities.
Bonner R. Cohen, Ph. D., is a senior policy analyst with the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow.
Read More
Climate proposals threaten pursuit of happiness and justiceJustice through affordable energy for WisconsinOil drilling minimizes natural oil leaksAll pain, no gainMillions of jobs at risk U.S. climate con-jobWildlife keeping up with climate changeNY Times targets renewable energyCO2 is insufficient to explain warmingGore: U.S. climate bill to bring global governanceRed Rock Wilderness Bill |
Get updates by email
![]() CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace shipsIn daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... The clear-cutting facts about the rainforestAre we really losing one football field every minute?... The rainforest issue: Myths and factsCFACT briefing paper compares two very differing views about people and nature in the tropics... Addressing the root causes of illegal immigrationFocusing on property rights and economic opportunity back home could help solve growing border issue... All pain, no gainThe reality behind the mythology of Cap and Trade... Melting the facts about Greenland's ice sheetViking history, ice core samples, and observations of solar cycle cast doubt on human responsibility for climate change... Are organic foods really better?Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture... ![]() CFACT arrives in CopenhagenCFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain.... ![]() Carbon 'sins' forgiven in BonnCFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates... ![]() Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long lineInconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists... ![]() An Inconvenient TerroristArmed eco-terrorist who experienced an “awakening” by watching Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth was shot and killed after storming Discovery Channel Building. Radical manifesto condemns 'parasitic children' and human civilization, calling for sterilization and giving the planet back to the squirrels.... ![]() An ill wind in New JerseyProposed windmill would cost $7 million, stand taller than the Statue of Liberty, and when the wind isn't blowing would need to be kept turning with electricity from a traditional plant in order to avoid mechanical failure.... ![]() End environmental experiments on Africans!Environmentalists are using African parents and children in anti-DDT experiments. They are playing with our lives. So are the government agencies and others who support their policies. This is wrong and immoral. And it is only one of the ways they use Africans as experimental laboratory animals.... ![]() Prepare for an ice age!"Little ice ages" are the flip side of the 1500-year warming cycle. We should take advantage of the favorable climate we are currently enjoying to increase research on high-yield agriculture, biotechnology, water conservation and other advances now only dreamt of.... ![]() Howard Stern: 'Bring back DDT!'Stern argues that New York's bedbug problem is nothing compared to the millions dying from malaria in Africa, quoting extensively from an article by CFACT's Paul Driessen.... ![]() New York's bedbugs vs. Africa's malaria crisisOur obsession with pesticide “risks” has very different consequences for America and Africa.... ![]() How to save the Chesapeake Bay: Oysters vs. RegulationsOysters kept the Bay clean in the past, but the EPA is ignoring this proven solution in favor of big government regulations.... ![]() New ethanol policy poses heavy cost for consumersE15 ethanol mandates would bring huge benefits for ethanol producers at the expense of the rest of us.... ![]() Empowering the poor in the Yucatan jungleLocal villagers struggle to survive in Becan, but a new program promises to bring prosperity by unleashing their creativity and energy.... ![]() Armed eco-terrorist who experienced an “awakening” by watching Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth was shot and killed after storming Discovery Channel Building. Radical manifesto condemns 'parasitic children' and human civilization, calling for sterilization and giving the planet back to the squirrels.... { from An Inconvenient Terrorist } ![]() Inconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists... { from Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long line } ![]() Descendants of black property owners in Georgia whose land was seized by the federal government at the beginning of WWII are locking horns with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The black landowners want the government to give back what it took, and the bureaucrats want to hold on to what they have.... { from Rural Georgia blacks demand feds return expropriated land } ![]() Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.... { from Target: Monckton } ![]() Droughts are caused by many reasons, and human's ability to adapt is greater than ever before in our history.... { from Is America's west doomed to drought? } ![]() The federal government has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on research that has completely failed to affect temperatures or demonstrate an empirical link between human CO2 emissions and global warming.... { from The global warming fleecing of the American taxpayer } ![]() Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.... { from Target: Monckton } ![]() Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.... { from Target: Monckton } ![]() Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.... { from Target: Monckton } ![]() Marc Morano receives another award for his journalism covering the global warming movement.... { from Climate Depot’s award hat trick } ![]() To the dismay of environmentalists, in the 1980s poor rice farmers in Asia and Latin America began cutting down mangrove trees to make room for profitable shrimp ponds. Now, shrimp farming has become more efficient, taking far less land per pound of food, and the wastes have been disarmed.... { from Shrimp farming has grown up } ![]() It may turn out that the public still supports offshore drilling -- albeit with new safeguards based on what is learned from this spill -- but not a moratorium on all offshore oil production.... Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture... { from Are organic foods really better? } ![]() The Gulf of Mexico could turn into a giant dead zone if some means cannot be found to staunch the flow of oil and toxic gases emerging from beneath the Deepwater Horizon. Industry insiders are beginning to speak openly among themselves of an unmitigated disaster.... { from BP and the unmitigated disaster } ![]() The EPA has threatened to impose penalties and fines on the Amish if they don't change their ways, which the EPA considers to be polluting the environment.... ![]() Policies contained in this bill would empower bureaucrats at the FWS to wield their already considerable administrative power even more relentlessly.... { from New Congressional initiative to create 'wildlife corridors' } ![]() There is simply no room in science, academia or public policy for manipulation, falsification or fraud. Academic freedom does not confer a right to engage in such practices, and both attorneys general and research institutions have a duty to root them out, especially in the case of climate change research.... { from Ken Cuccinelli v. 810 academics } ![]() There is simply no room in science, academia or public policy for manipulation, falsification or fraud. Academic freedom does not confer a right to engage in such practices, and both attorneys general and research institutions have a duty to root them out, especially in the case of climate change research.... { from Ken Cuccinelli v. 810 academics } CFACT's Driessen: "Senators have some explaining to do"... { from Questions posed for Kerry, Lieberman on new climate-energy bill } ![]() Learning (the right lessons, hopefully) from the Gulf of Mexico disaster.... { from Lessons from the Gulf blowout } ![]() CFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates... { from Carbon 'sins' forgiven in Bonn } Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture... { from Are organic foods really better? } ![]() CFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates... { from Carbon 'sins' forgiven in Bonn } ![]() How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very.... { from A chill hits wind power } Columnist notes that President Obama must speak out or there will be an increase in climate change skepticism.... { from Climate Depot is impacting Obama's climate initiative } ![]() The notion that plastic bags pose a threat to waterborne wildlife is as fashionable as it is false.... { from Plastic bags withstand the test of time ... and politicians } Morano received The Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for his exposé of the ClimateGate scandal.... { from CFACT's Marc Morano recognized for outstanding journalism } ![]() A proposed nickel and copper mine in Michigan’s economically hard-hit Upper Peninsula will never see the light of day if a coalition of environmental groups get their way.... { from Environmentalists attack nickel mine } ![]() How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very.... { from A chill hits wind power } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very.... { from A chill hits wind power } ![]() Media hits for CFACT Copenhagen stunt gaining speedy momentum... { from Laughs for Greenpeace "Climate Caper" turning into international roar } ![]() Senator Boxer is compounding the Climategate scandal with cover-up and obstruction... { from Taxpayer Robbery Gate } ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } Focusing on property rights and economic opportunity back home could help solve growing border issue... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader.... { from Climate skeptics gain steam } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis... { from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader.... { from Climate skeptics gain steam } ![]() CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader.... { from Climate skeptics gain steam } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day... ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet... { from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News } ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis... { from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science } Leading newspaper features story on CFACT scientific conference at U.N. meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark... { from New York Times carries CFACT's 'Climate Sense' Conference } ![]() CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain.... { from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen } ![]() Al Gore's claim to have a scientific consensus in support of global warming is confronted by protesters from CFACT's own Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow.... { from CFACT Collegians organize protest against appearance by Al Gore } ![]() Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen... { from Monckton names names on Climategate } ![]() Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally... { from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda } ![]() The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet... { from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News } ![]() CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain.... { from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen } Singer, Morner, Plimer headline all-star science cast... { from CFACT sponsors climate science conference: The debate is not over } Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture... { from Are organic foods really better? } ![]() The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis... { from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science } ![]() CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain.... { from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen } ![]() If an herbicide, that can drastically improve farming, has proven to be safe for not only the animals in the environment, but also humans, it should be used, right? Not according to the EPA.... { from Is government standing in the way of lower food costs? } ![]() The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best.... { from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay } How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding... { from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? } How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding... { from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? } ![]() The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best.... { from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay } How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding... { from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? } How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding... { from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? } Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories... { from Global warming bait-and-switch } Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories... { from Global warming bait-and-switch } |



















































