U.S. Department of Interior Listening Session
San Bernardino, CA – September 28th, 2006
Testimony of Howard Gross
California Desert Sr. Program Manager, NPCA
Good morning. My name is Howard Gross and I'm the California Desert Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. I live in the desert town of Joshua Tree, California.
First, I'd like to thank Secretary Kempthorne for recently strengthening the National Park Service’s Management Policies and also for last month’s announcement of the National Park Centennial Challenge. NPCA looks forward to working with you to ensure a legacy of excellence for the National Park System’s 2nd century. A great first step would be a significant increase in the Park Service's operating budget in 2008.
But my main point today concerns a desert issue of great concern to NPCA: the proposed Eagle Mountain Landfill, which would be surrounded on three sides by Joshua Tree National Park. If built, this dump would be the world’s largest and would severely impact the resources that the park was set aside to preserve. Most of the trash would come from Los Angeles County, delivered 200 miles by train. But Joshua Tree doesn’t have to be sacrificed, since other solutions are available to meet LA County’s future waste management needs.
Fortunately, the 1997 BLM-approved land exchange needed for this project to proceed was overturned in federal court last year, with the judge calling the BLM’s approval "arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with law." NPCA is one of several plaintiffs. I’ll leave you a packet for that provides more detail.
A lot has changed since this land exchange was approved in 1997. I think you’ll find that most Park Service and BLM employees don’t want to see this project happen and the towns in the Morongo Basin and the public agree: 14,000 Americans have signed a petition opposing it.
Unfortunately, the BLM and project proponent have appealed the decision to the 9th circuit. But the government has delayed filing its opening brief and I sense there may be uncertainty about pursuing the appeal.
Secretary Kempthorne, I ask you to revisit Interior’s decisions from the past year about this lawsuit, and to urge the Dept. of Justice to not appeal. Its not too late, the first brief is due in mid-October. We’d have no problem with another delay while this is considered.
Thank you.
