As in the Senate (see Senate votes 6, 7, & 8), House debate on legislation to protect California's fragile desert lands was marked by controversy and frequent attempts at amendment. During the 11-week debate, in fact, lawmakers filed 43 amendments to the California Desert Protection Act (H.R. 518) introduced by Reps. Richard Lehman (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA). Many amendments were offered by opponents as part of a strategy to prevent passage of the bill through extensive delays.

Recorded votes were taken on most of the proposed amendments, including the following:

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) offered an amendment to open 1,068 of trails through BLM and National Park wilderness to off-road vehicles. Conservationists noted that the proposal opened adjacent areas to trespass and illegal activities, would increase management costs, and exposed sensitive areas to damage.

On June 10, 1994, the House rejected the Pombo amendment by a vote of 169 - 191. NO is the pro-environment vote.