WASHINGTON, DC -- Idaho Senator Larry Craig, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management, blasted Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck, and Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Lyons for circumventing Congress and playing politics with the President's October 13 proposal to withdraw 40 million acres of national forests from general access by the vast majority of Americans.

Craig intensely questioned the officials on the details of Clinton's proposed plan, specifically asking, "can you tell us what is the acreage you are talking about?" Conflicting press reports state that the proposal includes anywhere from 40 to 60 million acres of public land. Neither Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck or Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Lyons could provide an adequate answer. Craig insisted they provide an analysis of the acres involved on a state by state basis and received assurances that the information would be provided to the committee as soon as possible. "We must have the real facts and figures, not just press releases," Craig demanded.

In addition, Craig chided the Clinton Administration for continuously bypassing Congress and the Constitutional process on major public land initiatives. "I asked you to come to the table years ago to work together on these issues and you have yet to cooperate," Craig said. "If you don't craft legitimate legislative proposals and bring them to Congress to be vetted through the process you will continue to waste millions of dollars, forests will still be burning, and more and more communities will die from conflict."

"If you are serious about a transportation policy and additional protection of roadless areas, come and talk with us. Our door is open," Craig told Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "In your March 28, 1995 confirmation hearing before the Committee, you indicated that you wanted to - - and I am quoting your words - - ‘form the basis for working with Congress and help us together find common ground.' Two appearances in four and one half years isn't exactly breaking a sweat on this issue."