Capitol Update
TODAY: Presidential Monuments Meeting to Occur
Today there will be a public meeting taking place on the three proposed National Monuments: Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountain. This meeting will consider whether the President should create these monuments through the Antiquities Act. It will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 2PM at the Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve at 9160 Canyon Road in Whitewater, CA. This could be the only public meeting before the Obama administration makes a final decision on any potential designations. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this meeting to express their views.
WHAT: Public meeting on proposed Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 13, at 2 PM.
WHERE: The Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve, 9160 Whitewater Canyon Road, Whitewater, CA. 92282
Cook said, “When a president creates a monument through the Antiquities Act, it sets in motion a Washington-based management plan that can sharply curtail recreational and economic activities. I’m deeply concerned that outreach efforts to the public have been hasty and inadequate.”
Last month, Senator Diane Feinstein wrote to the President asking him to use the Antiquities Act to create three national monuments in the California Desert. Senator Feinstein has also introduced a bill, S. 414, the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015, addressing much of this same land area. Rep. Cook has introduced an alternative measure, HR 3668, the California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act.
Cook continued, “This meeting is our chance to let them know that they need to let things move through the legislative process, rather than unilateral executive action. Only the legislative process will provide adequate time for the public input necessary to reach a consensus on the future of our desert and mountains. The President needs to give the legislative process an opportunity to work, and I ask that community come out and voice their opposition to the Antiquities Act process.”
Congressman Cook Votes to Lift the Ban On Oil Exports
Congressman Cook voted for HR 702, a bill that would lift the ban on crude oil exports and help promote both national and energy security. This bill passed the House with bipartisan support.
The ban on crude exports was put in place in 1975 in response to the Arab oil embargo. HR 702 lifts the ban on exports and directs that some of the profits from federal oil and gas leases be used to improve our military’s strategic sealift and global response capability. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will generate $1.4 billion in revenue for national security over the next ten years from oil and gas leases. The bill will also lower gasoline prices by as much as 13 cents per gallon.
Cook said, “Lifting the ban on crude oil exports is good for the country. This bipartisan legislation will lower gasoline prices for Americans and create jobs. It also enhances our national security by weakening countries like Iran and Russian. If the President is going to enter into an agreement to with Iran to export oil, then he should support the US exporting oil.”
“Desert belongs to you, not Washington”- By Congressman Paul Cook
There has been much debate recently about the future of our desert and mountain regions – specifically whether we should create new national monuments on existing federal land in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Some have argued that the President should act unilaterally through the Antiquities Act to accomplish this goal. I oppose any effort to create monuments through the Antiquities Act. Unlike using the normal legislative process to create monuments, the Antiquities Act process provides minimal opportunity for public input and will leave us with second-rate monuments that lack broad local support.
Originally passed in 1906, the Antiquities Act was designed to protect “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest.” I believe a reasonable interpretation of this law allows for preservation of sites such as the home of an important historical figure or culturally sensitive Native American artifacts. Instead, presidents of both parties have used this law to create massive monuments, such as a recently created monument in Nevada totaling 704,000 acres. When a president creates a monument through the Antiquities Act, it sets in motion a Washington-based management plan that can sharply curtail recreational and economic activities.
Make no mistake about it, I’m committed to balancing recreation, environmental concerns, and economic use, but we need to do it sensibly and through our legislative process. That’s why I introduced HR 3668, the California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act. It offers a sensible solution that addresses the needs of our off-highway vehicle recreation areas, protects responsible mining, while still preserving our majestic desert landscapes for future generations.
My bill protects over 965,000 acres of desert south of the Mojave National Preserve as the Mojave Trails Special Management Area. Additionally, it would limit new mining operations to 10 percent of the total acreage; this will protect nearly 900,000 acres from any sort of industrial-scale activity. It also writes into law over 1,200 miles of existing roads and trails within Mojave Trails. As it moves forward, this bill will have multiple hearings, providing adequate time for public input.
It should also be noted that Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced a bill, S. 414, the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015, addressing much of this same land area. While our bills differ in some aspects, I believe the legislative process is the best vehicle to sort out the differences to come up with a solution that addresses our local needs.
Next Tuesday, October 13, there will be public meeting will be taking place on the three proposed National Monuments: Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountain. This meeting will consider whether the President should create these monuments through the Antiquities Act. It will take place at 2 p.m. at the Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve at 9160 Canyon Road in Whitewater, CA.
This could be the only public meeting before the Obama administration makes a final decision on any potential designations. This will have permanent ramifications for the future of our desert and we deserve to have a say. I encourage desert residents to show up and make their voices heard. The President needs to give the legislative process an opportunity to work. This desert belongs to you, not Washington.
U.S. Rep. Paul Cook represents California’s 8th District, which includes portions of San Bernardino County, Mono and Inyo County. Contact him through cook.house.gov.
This article first appeared in the Desert Sun on October 12, 2015. You can access it by clicking here.
District Update
Interested in studying at a US Service Academy?- LAST CALL
Congressman Cook announced the remaining information sessions for students interested in attending one of the five US Military Service Academies. The informational meetings will take place throughout the Eighth Congressional District.
The no-cost events give attendees the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s five service academies. Representatives from Congressman Cook’s office will be on hand to answer questions regarding requirements and qualifications for entrance to an academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships, military preparatory schools, and congressional nominations.
High school seniors who reside in Congressman Cook’s district and are seeking admission to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for the fall 2016 semester must submit a completed nomination packet to Rep. Cook’s District Office by December 4, 2015. Please note that students interested in attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy do not need a congressional nomination.
The scheduled information sessions are as follows:
October 13, 2015- TONIGHT!
East Valley Water District Meeting Room
31111 Greenspot Road
Highland, CA 92346
6:30PM to 9:00PM
October 14, 2015
Yucca Valley Town Hall
Yucca Room
57090 Twentynine Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
6:30PM to 9:00PM
Additional information and the application packet can be found on Congressman Cook’s website or by calling the Apple Valley District Office at (760) 247-1815.
Nominate a Vietnam Veteran TODAY!
This year marks the 50th anniversary since the start of the Vietnam War. This conflict was a challenging time for our country, with many service men and women experiencing public backlash upon returning home. To show his appreciation for their service and for the service of other veterans, Congressman Paul Cook is hosting a special event called “Heroes of the 8th,” focusing this year on Vietnam veterans from the 8th Congressional District.
If you know a Vietnam veteran or other outstanding veteran who deserves this recognition, please complete the nomination form by visiting Congressman Cook’s website. Please click here.
Completed forms should be dropped off at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307, emailed to Kellie.Hartl@mail.house.gov, or faxed to (760) 247-8073.
*Nomination forms must be submitted by October 16, 2015*
Please note, the "Heroes of the 8th" event will take place in the evening on Friday, November 13, 2015 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley. This event is open to the public. More information will be coming soon.
AFJROTC From Apple Valley Visit DC!
Last week, Congressman Cook meet with AFJROTC cadets from Unit CA-20068 in Apple Valley! They had a great conversation about the need to maintain a strong national defense. The future is in good hands- keep up the hard work.
Veterans’ Corner
My office is here to help you. If you or someone you know needs help with the Veterans' Administration please call my Apple Valley District Office at (760) 247-1815.
High Desert Veterans & Families Veterans Outreach
The Victorville Elks Lodge 1877 is planning to honor men and women veterans with the High Desert Veterans & Families Veterans Outreach from 7AM to 2PM on October 17, 2015 at their lodge located at 14041 Hesperia Road in Victorville.
Numerous veterans’ resources will be on hand to help connect veterans with the services they need, including housing and medical resources, job training and placement, peer-to-peer networking, PTSD and other unmet emotional needs, clothing and assistance in processing benefits.
The opening ceremony will be held at 8AM. There is no charge for admission.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact joshua@don-frse.com or (760) 951-8003.
Project Healing Waters
The Hi Desert Fly Fishing Club will present its annual Project Healing Waters, a patriotic fly fishing event to help wounded veterans from all wars experience fly fishing.
Volunteers will be teaching basic fly fishing to those who need it. The veterans will have the opportunity to try for large trout in the stocked fly fishing pond.
This event will be hosted from 8AM to 2PM on October 24, 2015 at Jess Ranch Lakes located at 11495 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley.
For more information, contact Mike Hayes at (909) 273-1357.