Federal land managers told to be better neighbors

Federal land managers would have to "communicate, coordinate and cooperate" with local communities under a measure approved by a House Resources subcommittee on Thursday.

The bill (H.R. 4622) was approved by voice vote with no amendments, but Democrats and at least one Republican said the measure could face opposition later in the full committee.

The chairman of the National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands subcommittee and the bill's author, Rep. George Radanovich, R-California, said the measure would make "gateway communities"-local governments affected directly by federal land decisions-more aware of what their federal neighbors are doing. The bill would provide "no power to veto or obstruct" federal activities, he said. "Lands will be better served with federal agencies that are good neighbors to gateway communities," Radanovich said.

The bill would also make communities with less than 10,000 people eligible for grants.

The subcommittee's ranking Democrat, Rep. Donna M. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, opposed the bill because of the "sweeping changes" it proposed. She argued the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) already addressed concerns about federal and local communications about federal land decisions. NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare detailed studies about the potential impact of significant federal projects.

Rep. Mark Souder, R-Indiana, also opposed the bill because he was afraid it did not give local communities enough power.

Radanovich agreed to discuss concerns about the bill before it reaches the full committee.