Omnibus Public Lands Management Act Hits Obama’s Desk

Today the National Outdoor Leadership School celebrated passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 by the U.S. House of Representatives, which included the Wyoming Range Legacy Act. The bill will now move to President Obama’s desk and await his signature. Since 2004, NOLS has been closely engaged in a broad grassroots effort to protect 1.2 million acres of Wyoming’s namesake mountain range from oil and gas development, which is a key year-round classroom for backcountry wilderness courses.

“Passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act verifies that protecting wildlife and wild places in addition to healthy rural mountain economies is a high priority for Congress.” said John Gans, NOLS Executive Director. “The National Outdoor Leadership School would like to thank Senator John Barrasso, Senator Mike Enzi, and Governor Dave Freudenthal for their unwavering support of this bill, and for their commitment to the legacy of the late Senator Craig Thomas.”

Today, the passion and commitment of those who value wilderness, wild rivers, and wildlife habitat has paid off. Once signed, the 160 bills that make up the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act will designate 2 million acres of new Wilderness, create 1,000 miles of new Wild and Scenic Rivers, and expand our National Park System. This is the largest Wilderness bill to be passed since 1994.

photo courtesy of Gary Amerine