H.R. 2966House108th Congress (2003-2005)Passed House

Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2004

Legislative Activity

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22 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

September 22, 2004

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 25, 2003

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Natural Resources Committee

July 25, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

July 27, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

July 27, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.

July 27, 2003

HouseCommittee

Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Interior.

Natural Resources Committee

July 27, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee

July 31, 2003

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

September 30, 2003

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

April 22, 2004

HouseCommittee

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

April 22, 2004

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Natural Resources Committee

May 5, 2004

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Natural Resources Committee

May 5, 2004

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 108-513, Part I.

Natural Resources Committee

May 20, 2004

HouseIntro Referral

House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 30, 2004.

Agriculture Committee

May 20, 2004

HouseCommittee

Committee on Agriculture discharged.

Agriculture Committee

June 30, 2004

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 339.

June 30, 2004

HouseFloor

Mr. Pearce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

September 21, 2004 • 2:32 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7259-7261)

September 21, 2004 • 2:33 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2966.

September 21, 2004 • 2:33 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7259-7260)

September 21, 2004 • 2:38 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7259-7260)

September 21, 2004 • 2:38 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

September 21, 2004 • 2:38 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

September 22, 2004

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about H.R. 2966 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. Donna M. ChristensenD-VI · Sep 21, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.) Mr. Speaker, when H.R. 2966 was considered by the Committee…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, when H.R. 2966 was considered by the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the ranking member, offered a very humorous assessment of the legislation. We all enjoyed his statement's abundant use of horse terms. However, behind his humorous words, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) was pointing out there are serious problems with H.R. 2966, and I share the concern raised by the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Bush administration and others that the bill is unnecessary and unwise.

It is not a question of whether there should be pack and saddle animal use on public lands. Many people partake of such use, and there are many places where such use occurs on public lands. No, the real question is whether we should single out and legislatively enshrine a narrow specific recreational use into the missions of the various Federal land management agencies.

No other recreational use, whether historic or not, is enshrined in the Organic Acts of the various land management agencies. H.R. 2966 would bestow on a select group a right not enjoyed by hunters and fishermen, to name just a few. To single out pack and saddle animal use for special consideration upsets the balance that is sometimes necessary between competing uses and resource management.

The underlying problem with the bill is that it directs each land management agency to preserve and facilitate pack and saddle animal use. As the Bush administration testified, conflicts are likely to arise with such a narrow and specific mandate. Further, such a mandate creates a confusing contradiction for land managers when such use is incompatible with the respective land management agency's core mission.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think there is a single person in this room who believes we should ban pack and saddle animal use of public lands. With or without this legislation, it has been and will remain a recreational option on public lands. Our problem is not with that use but with the singling out of that use for special consideration in the law. When and where such use occurs are decisions best made in resource management plans, not in generic statute.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Stevan PearceR-NM-2 · Sep 21, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2966) to preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2966, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), will preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on our public lands where there is a historical tradition of such use. Mr. Speaker, the claim may be made by some that the bill singles out pack and saddle use and affords it greater consideration than other forms of recreation or commercial use.

I would argue that pack and saddle use has played a far greater historic role on our public lands, particularly in our Western States, than simply recreation. What may be perceived by some today as recreation was a vital part of everyday living throughout our Nation's history. In addition, this bill in no way diminishes the secretary's ability to implement emergency closures or permanent reductions in the use and access of these pack and stock animals after complying with the full public review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2966, as amended, codifies our commitment to access and to preserving one of the most fundamental and truly historic ways to experience our public lands. The bill is supported by the majority and minority of the committee. I urge its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Zach WampR-TN-3 · Sep 21, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I am a very proud sponsor of H.R. 2966, the Right to Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2004. Pack and saddle stock animals were a critical element in many early Americans'…

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued September 22, 2004

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2966 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

2d Session
H. R. 2966

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 22, 2004

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on
public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other
specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park
Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical
tradition of such use, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal
Lands Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. USE AND ACCESS OF PACK AND SADDLE ANIMALS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

(a) National Park System Lands.--Section 12 of Public Law 91-383
(16 U.S.C. 1a-7) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Use and Access of Pack and Saddle Animals.--
``(1) General rule.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
provide for the management of National Park System lands to
preserve and facilitate the continued use and access of pack
and saddle stock animals on such lands, including wilderness
areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated
areas, where there is a historical tradition of such use. As a
general rule, all trails, routes, and areas used by pack and
saddle stock shall remain open and accessible for such use. The
Secretary may implement a proposed reduction in the use and
access of pack and saddle stock animals on such lands only
after complying with the full review process required under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).
``(2) Rules of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed--
``(A) to authorize the Secretary to refuse to issue
a permit for a new use of pack and saddle stock
animals, including use by a commercial outfitter or
guide, without complying with applicable resource
management plans and planning processes required under
this Act or any other provision of law;
``(B) to limit the authority of the Secretary to
impose a temporary emergency closure of a trail, route,
or area to pack and saddle stock animals or issue
special permits; or
``(C) to create a preference for one recreational
use for any unit of the National Park System, without
consideration of the stated purpose of the unit.''.
(b) Bureau of Land Management Lands.--Section 302 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1732) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Use and Access of Pack and Saddle Animals.--
``(1) General rule.--The Secretary shall provide for the
management of public lands to preserve and facilitate the
continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on
such lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and
other specifically designated areas, where there is a
historical tradition of such use. As a general rule, all
trails, routes, and areas used by pack and saddle stock shall
remain open and accessible for such use. The Secretary may
implement a proposed reduction in the use and access of pack
and saddle stock animals on such lands only after complying
with the full review process required under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
``(2) Rules of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed--
``(A) to authorize the Secretary to refuse to issue
a permit for a new use of pack and saddle stock
animals, including use by a commercial outfitter or
guide, without complying with applicable resource
management plans and planning processes required under
this Act or any other provision of law;
``(B) to limit the authority of the Secretary to
impose a temporary emergency closure of a trail, route,
or area to pack and saddle stock animals or issue
special permits; or
``(C) to create a preference for one recreational
use for any area of the public lands, without
consideration of the stated purpose of the area.''.
(c) National Wildlife Refuge System Lands.--Section 4(d) of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5)(A) The Secretary shall provide for the management of System
lands to preserve and facilitate the continued use and access of pack
and saddle stock animals on such lands, including wilderness areas,
national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, where
there is a historical tradition of such use. As a general rule, all
trails, routes, and areas used by pack and saddle stock shall remain
open and accessible for such use. The Secretary may implement a
proposed reduction in the use and access of pack and saddle stock
animals on such lands only after complying with the full review process
required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.).
``(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed--
``(i) to authorize the Secretary to refuse to issue a
permit for a new use of pack and saddle stock animals,
including use by a commercial outfitter or guide, without
complying with applicable resource management plans and
planning processes required under this Act or any other
provision of law;
``(ii) to limit the authority of the Secretary to impose a
temporary emergency closure of a trail, route, or area to pack
and saddle stock animals or issue special permits; or
``(iii) to create a preference for one recreational use for
any unit of the System, without consideration of the stated
purpose of the unit.''.
(d) National Forest System Lands.--Section 15 of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1613) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Regulations''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Use and Access of Pack and Saddle Animals.--
``(1) General rule.--The Secretary shall provide for the
management of National Forest System lands to preserve and
facilitate the continued use and access of pack and saddle
stock animals on such lands, including wilderness areas,
national monuments, and other specifically designated areas,
where there is a historical tradition of such use. As a general
rule, all trails, routes, and areas used by pack and saddle
stock shall remain open and accessible for such use. The
Secretary may implement a proposed reduction in the use and
access of pack and saddle stock animals on such lands only
after complying with the full review process required under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).
``(2) Rules of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed--
``(A) to authorize the Secretary to refuse to issue
a permit for a new use of pack and saddle stock
animals, including use by a commercial outfitter or
guide, without complying with applicable resource
management plans and planning processes required under
this Act or any other provision of law;
``(B) to limit the authority of the Secretary to
impose a temporary emergency closure of a trail, route,
or area to pack and saddle stock animals or issue
special permits; or
``(C) to create a preference for one recreational
use for any unit of the National Forest System, without
consideration of the stated purpose of the unit.''.
(e) Issuance of Rules.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall issue final rules to define the meaning
of a historical tradition of use of pack and saddle stock animals on
Federal lands for purposes of the amendments made by this section.

Passed the House of Representatives September 21, 2004.

Attest:

JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.