This week, Z107.7 News has been running a special 4-part series looking back at the top stories of 2015. Today, in part 4 we look at two proposed Federal Desert Protection bills. Competing desert conservation bills in Congress were pitting environmentalists against miners, energy companies, and off-road riders. Both Senator Dianne Feinstein’s and Representative Paul Cook’s bills created Sand-to-Snow and Mojave Trails National Monuments, but differed in their treatment of mines, off-road vehicles, and renewable energy sources. The Twentynine Palms City Council approved a resolution in support of Cook’s bill, while the Yucca Valley Town Council, approved resolutions in support of both Feinstein’s and Cook’s bills. Feinstein is urging President Obama to use the Antiquities Act to establish the national monuments. Both bills are currently in subcommittees.
