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Factsheet: Preserving Wilderness And Coastlines A controversial proposal by Rep. Pombo could lead to off shore drilling along California's cherished coastline. Californians take enormous pride in our natural heritage -- from the mountains and rivers or Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada to the stunning beaches of our California coast -- and we believe these special places should be protected for future generations to enjoy. Last year, Congressman Richard Pombo tried to use his powerful position as Chairman of the House Resources Committee to insert controversial language into the federal budget that would allow National Parks and waterways to be sold to private developers and open up protected coastline -- including the California coast – to oil drilling. Specifically, Pombo attempted to insert language in the 2006 federal budget that would: sell off several National Parks and scenic rivers to private developers and mining companies open our coastal areas, including the California and Florida coasts, to offshore oil and gas drilling help wealthy oil companies drill in sacred places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge As a new budget process gets underway, we must urge Congressman Pombo not to use riders or accounting gimmicks to authorize the sale of public parks, forests, and waterways to private interests. Instead, we need him to support a budget that ensures our federal agencies have the tools they need to safeguard our natural legacy into the future. Don't Sacrifice Our Special Places Opening America's Shorelines and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to Oil Drilling Representative Pombo was the chief architect and advocate of a 2005 proposal to end the 25-year moratorium on oil drilling off the coasts of California, Florida, and other states, drawing strong objections from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others. He tried to sneak this plan, and one to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, into a House Budget Reconciliation package, which has far less opportunity for debate than traditional legislative vehicles. The bill would have passed if not for the courage of several moderate Republicans who refused to give in to Pombo's outrageous tactics.(1) Auctioning California Wilderness to Developers In November 2005, Representative Pombo secretly tucked a provision into a budget bill to sell off over 600,000 acres of federally owned parks, wilderness, and waterfront in California to mining companies and private developers, including land in Yosemite National Park. In Sierra County, local officials worried that the plan would fuel speculative real estate development along the Yuba and other rivers, while national park officials in Death Valley feared that Pombo's provision would bring new mining operations, condominiums, casinos, and even landfills into the park. The plan was withdrawn at the last minute after a strong backlash from local officials, sportsmen and others who were against cutting the public out of public land.(2) Selling National Parks In September 2005, Representative Pombo proposed selling off 15 National Parks, ranging from Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site in Danville, California, to several parks and preserves in Alaska. In the same proposal, he also suggested selling advertising and naming rights in National Parks. After much public outcry, the proposal was later withdrawn.(3) "Gov. Schwarzenegger opposes Rep. Pombo's attempt to weaken moratorium," Greenwire, November 4, 2005 Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2005 Los Angeles Times, September 24, 2005 Photo courtesy NOAA. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club