Republicans for Environmental Protection is proud to praise the following Republican representatives for sponsoring one or more of three bills designed to protect public lands from industrial exploitation.

CA Steve Horn
CT Nancy Johnson, Christopher Shays, Rob Simmons
IL Mark Kirk
IA Jim Leach
MD Wayne Gilchrest, Connie Morella
MN Jim Ramstad
NJ Michael Ferguson, Frank LoBiondo, Marge Roukema, Jim Saxton, Chris Smith
NY Sherwood Boehlert, Sue Kelly, James Walsh
PA Jim Greenwood
VA Tom Davis

They are sponsors of the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (HR 4865); Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (HR 488); Yellowstone Protection Act (HR 5044).

The National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (HR 4865) would give de-facto wilderness areas the immediate protection they need while citizens work with Congress to include them in the National Wilderness Preservation System, with the goal of providing full, permanent protection. Roadless areas help secure clean water and air, protect soils, and provide fish and wildlife habitat. (As the July 8 issue of Time points out, roadless areas offer the last, best chance of survival for wide-ranging species like the grizzly bear.) REP America is also proud to praise Senators John Warner (VA) and Lincoln Chafee (RI) for sponsoring S. 2790, a companion bill in the Senate.

The Yellowstone Protection Act (HR 5044) would force the removal of snowmobiles from Yellowstone, protecting visitors, employees and wildlife from noise and air pollution. We’re pleased that Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI) has introduced a companion bill (S. 2697) in the Senate.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (HR 488) attempts to connect the ecological dots in the Northern Rockies area, ensuring the continued existence of connected roadless areas for larger mammals like the grizzly, which cannot survive in small, isolated islands of habitat. NREPA only addresses currently-owned federal land, It is not a “land grab.” Its main goal is to prevent further fragmentation of wildlife habitat by roads, clear-cuts, etc.

REP supports all three of these bills, and we look forward to working with the conservation-minded Republicans listed above to get them passed into law.