Westerners want balanced approach to land and energy

This summer, millions of Americans are vacationing in our national parks and on our public lands. But while this month signals the start of vacation many, Congress is staying busy considering sweeping energy legislation, including a major package of bills proposed by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R), which could significantly affect the millions of Americans who use these public lands.

The history of this Congress’s approach to our public lands seems to favor one use above all others: energy development. While this development has been critical in boosting the U.S. up to the top producer of oil and gas on the planet, we’re reaching a point where it’s being prioritized by this drill-happy Congress at the expense of other uses—such as outdoor recreation, ranching, and farming—that are critical to sustaining our western economies. And when House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) is saying that ancient sacred petroglyphs in places like Nevada’s Great Basin aren’t an antiquity (referring to them instead as “bullcrap,”) you can bet those other uses of public lands are in danger.

{mosads}As a Montanan, it doesn’t take the flocks of tourists in Glacier National Park for me to know that our public lands play a central role in our country’s economic success—and not just from energy development. Thousands of small businesses, including many where I live in Whitefish, are thriving thanks to their proximity to healthy rivers and intact wild country. I’ve seen an influx of job-creating investment across Montana, due largely to the quality of life that our public lands provide and which attracts world-class talent. I’ve even seen this happen in places like Bozeman, which has recently become a hub for innovative tech companies.   

However, this incredible progress—both in the energy sector and in other aspects of our public lands economy—depends on maintaining a delicate balance on these valuable public lands that both honors our western heritage and keeps an eye on the future.

That’s why a majority of Westerners expect our leaders in Washington to take a balanced approach to energy on our public lands when it comes to Murkowski’s energy legislation. In fact, a recent bipartisan poll of Colorado, New Mexico and Montana residents found that a majority—57 percent on average—believe our leaders in Washington should consider agriculture, energy production, and tourism equally when making decisions about our public lands.  

All too often, this debate ends up being driven by politics and special interests, instead of common sense. But it doesn’t have to be that way—if Westerners get involved and push for a transparent conversation on any energy legislation, we can shape its outcome and ensure that industry remains accountable to our communities and local economies, and that they continue to benefit from the many diverse values of public lands.

This is our chance as westerners to demand a seat at the table and make sure our voice is a part of any decisions about energy development on our public lands. Westerners know the value of our public lands. Now’s the time to ensure that Washington knows, too.

Saeger is director of the Western Values Project (WVP).