[at-l] More Wilderness Protection

[Jim Bullard]

I'm curious about that claim of ocean preservation. As I understand it US
law (or any other country for that matter) has no force past the 3 mile
limit (3 miles from shore). I also know that countries retain mineral rights
to the edge of the continental shelf off their borders and that is often
beyond the 3 mile limit but the majority of W's "preservation" appears to be
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, most notably the Marianna Trench. I
don't understand how the US can unilaterally declare ocean floor in
international waters to be a US National Monument. If we don't own it, it
would appear at best to be suggestion to the rest of the world.

We have at least one lawyer on the list. If there are more in particular any
who have expertise in the rules governing the ocean floors maybe they can
enlighten me. Until then it appears to me to be no more than a symbol
gesture.

Jim Bullard
http://jims-ramblings.blogspot.com/


2009/1/11 <rcli4 at comcast.net>

> This kinda of Republican bashing is gonna be hard to maintain with a
> democrat pres, and congress.  What will all the folks have to bitch about.
> Try some TRUTH.  George W Bush the idiot and earth raper just protected
> more  earth then any person in the history of the earth.  Contemplate that
> and send all responses off list to Frank Looper.  I am a supporter of truth,
> Frank supports the Bush administration  :>))
>
> Clyde
>
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: Georgiamountainwoman <gamountainwoman at yahoo.com>
>
> WASHINGTON – Congress is considering whether to set aside more than 2
> million acres in nine states as wilderness in an early showdown that
> threatens to derail pledges by Senate leaders to work cooperatively as a new
> administration takes office.
>
> The largest expansion of wilderness protection in 25 years has bipartisan
> support and would include California's Sierra Nevada mountain range,
> Oregon's Mount Hood, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and parts of
> the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.
>
> The bill was scuttled last year after objections from Sen. Tom Coburn,
> R-Okla., who said spending in the bill was excessive — nearly $4 billion
> over five years. Now Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is seeking a rare
> Sunday vote in an apparent effort to punish Coburn and antagonize his GOP
> colleagues.
>
> The scheduled Sunday session would try to limit GOP stalling tactics and
> move the bill forward.
>
> Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural
> Resources Committee, said the measure represents years of work by
> lawmakers from many states and both parties. The legislation combines about
> 160 bills covering nearly every state.
>
> Besides new wilderness designations — the highest level of government
> protection for public lands — the bill would designate the childhood home of
> former President Bill Clinton in Hope, Ark., as a national historic site and
> expand protections for dozens of national parks, rivers and water
> resources.
>
> In a statement, Coburn said the "earmark-laden" measure "makes a mockery of
> voters' hopes for change."
>
> For example, Coburn said, the bill includes $3 million for a "road to
> nowhere" through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska; $460
> million for a water project designed to save 500 salmon in California; and
> $3.5 million to help celebrate the 450th birthday of St. Augustine, Fla., in
> 2015.
>
> Environmental groups also oppose the Alaska road. The rest of the bill,
> they say, would be a huge accomplishment for Congress.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Georgiamountainwoman <gamountainwoman at yahoo.com>
> To: at-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:24:41 +0000
> Subject: [at-l] More Wilderness Protection
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