On Monday, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands traveled to Sacramento, California for a field oversight hearing entitled, Restoring Public Access to the Public’s Lands: Issues Impacting Multiple-use on Our National Forests. Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) and Representatives Tom McClintock (CA-04) and Wally Herger (CA-02) attended the hearing, held in the state Capitol, where a crowd of over two hundred people gathered to hear from the U.S. Forest Service, state officials and impacted citizens on access issues on U.S. Forest Service land.

Witnesses discussed multiple-use barriers on public lands that are inhibiting various recreational and economic activities such as cattle grazing, timbering, fishing and hiking. Blocked access and mismanagement of the forests has also contributed to overcrowding, which has left areas susceptible to wildfires, disease and insect infestation. Members at the hearing stressed the need for proper management of our public forests so that the lands stay healthy, forested communities prosper and multiple-use is preserved.