Senator John McCain (R)

NATURAL HERITAGE

Oceans: Marine Life [click here to read question nineteen]

"I am deeply concerned that our ocean and marine resources are coming under increasing pressure from climate change, over-fishing, resource extraction and other potentially harmful activities. I believe in the sustainable development of resources in our oceans, estuaries and near-shore waters. Counterproductive activities that adversely affect the health and sustainability of the maritime ecosystems must be addressed, while taking into consideration the needs of stakeholders, today and in the future. Marine protection efforts should include stronger initiatives to protect coral reefs and better enforcement of international whaling moratoria."

Oceans: Offshore Drilling [click here to read question twenty]

"I believe there are some OCS areas that can and should be developed for their energy potential but the areas should not be those that are ecologically sensitive to such development. I also believe that the will of the people of coastal states like Florida and California on issues related to OCS development off their shorelines must be respected and they should have a say in where moratoria are kept in place as well as the terms of such development that is permitted. Where OCS development is conducted, as permitted by federal and state authorities, it should be undertaken in accordance with stringent environmental protection standards, oversight, and enforcement. As we work to achieve energy security, we also have a responsibility to protect the coastal environment, vistas, property values, recreation, and tourism."

Endangered Species Act [click here to read question twenty-one]

"Americans want and need a strong Endangered Species Act. While the current law is sound and has produced a number of notable successes, I believe there are areas where it can be improved. As President, I would support reforms that maintain strong and responsible protection for threatened and endangered species and promote species recovery while bringing greater levels of cooperation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness to the effort. I believe that part of this effort must include achieving greater levels of coordination among federal, state, and local agencies, and working proactively and cooperatively with private landowners to protect habitat in a way that enhances species while respecting property rights."

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [click here to read question twenty-two]

"I do not support drilling in the ANWR at this time. The question of whether the area should be officially designated as Wilderness should be considered in terms of the multiple uses for which the refuge has been set aside; whether the area meets the statutory definition of such a designation under the Wilderness Act, and taking into consideration the views of affected stakeholders, including the people of Alaska and their elected leaders."

National Forest Roadless Areas [click here to read question twenty-three]

"I am a strong supporter of protecting pristine areas, which is why I worked very hard to enact two major wilderness bills for my home state of Arizona. With respect to areas that not within the wilderness preservation system either as designated wilderness or study areas, I believe that the forest management planning process with its appropriate standards and public procedures is the best means of making wise resource management decisions. Where a road may be needed it should not be automatically barred by a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, such a decision should be subject to the rigors of the forest management planning process, that is equipped to take all appropriate factors into account, including the protection of habitat and preservation of pristine areas. My response should not be taken as an endorsement of extensive new road building in our national forests. On the contrary, it is an endorsement of the forest management planning process. Forest roads should be barred where they are inappropriate or not called for within the applicable Forest Management Plan. Roads have vital purposes including access for recreation, fire control and wildlife management access as well as for sustainable timber harvest activities consistent with the applicable forest plan. Road construction and closure decisions should be made on a case-by-case according to the merits. As a general rule, road construction should be limited to the minimum necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the forest plan, and maintain the natural integrity and sustainability of the forest."

Mining[click here to read question twenty-four]

"I believe that the 1872 Mining Law can and should be reviewed an updated. I would support reforms to ensure that mining activities, including reclamation, are conducted in an environmentally responsible fashion that patented claims are used for their intended purpose, and that fees are fair both to miners and taxpayers. However, such reforms should not be used as a means of chasing responsible small miners from the land or retarding the environmentally responsible development of mineral resources that are critical to our economy."