California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 857, introduced by Representative Cook from California, is a comprehensive package of land designations designed to increase conservation efforts and recreation access throughout the California desert.

The bill adds approximately 329,370 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System, expands three units of the National Park System, creates new areas set aside for off-highway recreation, and establishes the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.

Representative Cook's bill builds upon the success of the California Desert Protection Act and the recent monument designations by President Obama to provide lasting protections and ensure ongoing recreational access throughout the region.

This bill closely mirrors its Senate companion introduced by Senator Feinstein that is moving its way through the legislative process in the Senate. Hopefully, that means we can deliver a version of this bill to the President's desk to provide a lasting conservation solution for a substantial portion of the California desert.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source