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Show 2. Unlike the huge private estates and hunting preserves of the rich and powerful, as in Europe and other regions of the world, our Federal Lines are truly public p, ey>5^J|Jegacy;Of freedom and openness for our^children and grandchildren. They have contributed much to our people's feelings about what makes this country unique in the world. Those of us who live in the West have been especially fortunate because - since most of this public land is in our states - v/e have enjoyed the use not only of our own 2.5 acre portion but the use of land that is part of the heritage of millions of other Americans. At times we may be irritated by the way Federal agencies have managed the land. We may disagree with restrictions put. on the use of some of the land. We may see instances where the resources could be better used for economic development. But by and large, we^have^ejnpleTf^nvJend .freedorh^orJSunfing and fishing, for camping, for grazing cattle, for prospecting for fun cr profit, for hundrecs of other-Actjvities~which~are denied'to^people'who live In the nonpublic land states. Federal land watersheds give Westerners good water and electric power, and their dean air contributes greatly to the special western quality of life. Leaders of the Sagebrush Rebellion are upset that the 19th Century policy v/hich advocated dispcsal of Federal public lands was formally repealed in 1976 and replaced by a policy of maintaining the public lands for the greatest public good. Actually, a series of laws dating back to the turn of the century had made the giveaway theory obsolete, which finally was acknowledged in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act passed three years ago. |