Current Issues: National, Regional, Local, and Global
We have organized critical issues by scope to focus our attention to the most critical public lands threats and issues.
National Scope
Review of National Monuments. President Trump
Selection of Directors for Land Management Agencies in Department of Interior and Agriculture. The future direction of these agencies, Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and National Park Service will be set by the new Trump administration. The PLC will monitor these appointments and work to help set policy and direction. The PLC is dedicated to organizing efforts to ensure these new directors are fostering the long standing public benefit missions of these agencies.
Selling Off of Public Lands. Recent legislation and congressional interest by members of the House Resources Committee has been focused on privatization of public lands. The PLC will monitor the progress of these efforts and create action to fight the loss of public spaces. We intend to watchdog any local or congressional actions.
Elimination of Landmark Environmental Laws. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). NEPA is often referred to as the “environmental Magna Carta.” Any effort to eliminate or weaken this law needs to be resisted.
Created in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been a guiding force in the protection and conservation of species threatened or endangered. The recovery of the Bald Eagle attests to the success of this legislation. Congress has started discussions to “modernize” this legislation. Weakening this law could lead to the additional extinction of many species and loss of critical habit.
Regional Scope
Carrying Capacity of National Park Areas. The 2016 Centennial Anniversary of the National Park Service highlighted the strong public support for National Park areas. It also highlighted that places like Zion National Park and Yosemite National Park are being overwhelmed by visitors creating congestion that must be managed. Efforts need to be made to ensure that public use does not ruin these sacred areas.
Global Scope
World Conservation. The current administration seems to have very little interest in conservation efforts around the globe. However, countries across the planet look to the United States for guidance because of our long successful management of public lands. PLC believes that it is even more evident today that we have just one planet and issues such as climate change need to be solved on a worldwide basis. PLC wants to foster and work on an international scale to ensure conservation is conducted around the globe.
Climate Change. The PLC educates the public and the current administration on the value of public lands to combat climate change effects. Scientists have provided scientific research to indicate there will be major economic, social and political effects from a warming climate. Through various media methods, education programs must be conducted informing the public about public lands use as refugia for special status species and as adaptation areas used to minimize overall adverse climatic impacts.
Local Scope
Local, regional, and national public lands constantly have local issues that revolve around public use, expansion, resource management, public access such as beach trail access. The PLC plans to learn about these issues, influence decision-making, and comment as needed.