Leahy Hits Interior Department’s
'Holiday Sneak Attack’
On Parks And Public Lands

White House Opens Door
To Thousands Of Miles Of Paved Roads
Through National Parks, Refuges And Wilderness Areas

WASHINGTON (Mon., Dec. 23) –- U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) slammed the U.S. Department of the Interior for its “holiday sneak attack” on the public’s lands, announced Monday by the U.S. Department of the Interior.  The agency quietly announced plans to move ahead with changes to so-called R.S. 2477 right-of-way claims across public lands that Leahy said will allow the department to give away public assets without public oversight or comment. 

“The holiday season is here, and so is another lump of coal for the public and another gift tucked quietly under the special interest tree,” said Leahy.  “These new rules fly in the face of a permanent moratorium Congress placed on any R.S. 2477 changes without congressional consent. This will let the Administration enter into closed-door negotiations for paving our national parks, refuges and forests.  It’s another dilution of the ‘public’ part of ‘public lands.’”

R.S. 2477 was originally enacted as part of the Mining Act of 1866 to spur development in the West.  Although it was repealed in 1976, it has continued to be the latchkey for states, counties and off-road vehicle groups to claim access through wilderness areas, national parks and other public lands.  The Clinton Administration had proposed a new public process to review claims but was blocked by Congress from doing so.  

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