[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2014)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E195] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PUBLIC ACCESS AND LANDS IMPROVEMENT ACT ______ speech of HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN of maryland in the house of representatives Thursday, February 6, 2014 The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2954) to authorize Escambia County, Florida, to convey certain property that was formerly part of Santa Rosa Island National Monument and that was conveyed to Escambia County subject to restrictions on use and reconveyance: Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2954, the so-called ``Public Access and Lands Improvement Act.'' While there are some provisions in this bill that I think many of us could support, most of its titles include unacceptable waivers of environmental law and giveaways to private interests. The bill bypasses carefully balanced processes for transferring federal lands while protecting access and value for taxpayers, reverses a scientifically-based land management decision, and waives environmental protections and local consultation for certain land for timber harvests and grazing. As with many of the bills we've seen on the Floor this week, H.R. 2954 makes sweeping and unnecessary changes to existing law that disrupt the balance necessary to manage our public lands in the best interest of American taxpayers. By waiving scientific review and local consultation, this cobbled-together omnibus makes ill-considered decisions about the future of public resources. I urge a no vote. ____________________