Democrats thwart Rep. Rob Bishop's move to obtain 'national monument' documents

WASHINGTON — Democrats on Wednesday narrowly beat back a Republican attempt co-led by Rep. Rob Bishop to force the Obama administration to turn over the still secret portions of a partially leaked document that showed the administration was considering creating 14 new national monuments, including two in Utah.

However, Bishop said the administration did turn over 383 out of 2,399 pages Republicans have been seeking, but that means its batting average is only .149 in providing the documents.

"By refusing to turn over thousands of pages of documents to Congress about this administration's potential plans to lock up millions of acres of lands, they have destroyed any remaining illusion about being transparent," Bishop said.

Bishop and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., tried to push through the House Natural Resources Committee a "resolution of inquiry" to force the release of the full document.

However, the committee on Wednesday killed a motion to favorably report it on a 22-20 vote. Instead, it reported the resolution by voice vote without recommendation, a sign that it has small chance of making it to the House floor.

Bishop, chairman of the Western Congressional Caucus, said refusal to release the documents makes it difficult for him to believe assertions by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that the administration was merely brainstorming on how to protect pristine lands, and that it would not create monuments without first seeking input from Utah residents.

"The question that needs to be asked is what is this administration hiding? If the DOI has nothing to hide on this issue, then why not hand over 100 percent of the documents to once and for all prove to the American people that they are not planning a massive land grab out West? Where there's smoke, there's fire," Bishop said.

Among the potential national monuments mentioned in the leaked portion of the document were two in Utah's San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa. That portion of the document was obtained by Bishop in February and leaked to the press then.

This story was reported from Salt Lake City.

e-mail: lee@desnews.com