Babbitt Will Give Priority to Protecting State’s Desert Lands

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said Wednesday that his first legislative goal will be to protect California desert lands that long have pitted conservationists against mining, hunting and recreational users.

Babbitt said he will travel to California in the next two weeks to evaluate the 7.3-million-acre Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree and Death Valley national monument areas for national park and national wilderness designation.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Babbitt also outlined his plans for a “national biological survey” of national resources, increased attention to the Endangered Species Act and assessment of ways to get a better return for use of federal lands.

“The first initiative will be the California desert,” Babbitt said. Since 1986, California legislators have pushed legislation to protect desert areas where a variety of uses currently are allowed, including controversial mining and off-road vehicle use.

As her first legislative effort, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced a desert-protection bill. Babbitt’s early emphasis on desert protection is likely to improve its chances of being approved by Congress and signed by President Clinton.

“I am preparing to go to Capitol Hill to state the Administration position,” Babbitt said.

Babbitt also said he has been assured that the Interior Department will receive part of Clinton’s $31-billion economic stimulus package to pay for roads and waste-water and irrigation systems on Indian reservations and overdue maintenance in the national parks.

Babbitt said national parks and the Fish and Wildlife Service need more money, so cuts and revenue increases will have to be found in other areas.

The secretary hinted that he will seek a better return on use of federal lands through grazing fees, timber sales, park concessions and mining claims.

“Generally, natural resources--public resources--have been sold below value in many, many areas,” said Babbitt.