Natural Resources Management Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the passage of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. This bipartisan legislation demonstrates what can be accomplished when we collaborate and negotiate. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, it is my responsibility to help protect and manage our natural resources.

In my home state of California, national parks hold a special place in our hearts. This bill expands several national parks in California, notably Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Mojave National Park. In addition, it expands wilderness designation, recreation and conservation areas, national monument designations, national trail system, and our national wild and scenic river system.

While I applaud extensions of our public lands for all Americans to enjoy, Congress must do its job to ensure appropriate infrastructure maintenance. California's 16th District is the gateway to the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite alone has more than $555 million dollars in deferred maintenance. Last Congress, I cosponsored the National Park Legacy Act because I believe Congress can and should do more to ensure the legacy of our National Parks.

A critical part of this bill permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a key program that helped protect nearly 2.5 million acres and provided $4 billion in state grants for conservation and recreation projects. As I have consistently advocated for over the years, it is imperative we turn our attention to fixing our broken water infrastructure. I applaud my colleagues in the Senate and the House for including legislation addressing the Contra Costa Canal Transfer. This project is a common-sense solution that allows the water district to complete necessary safety improvements to the canal while reducing government regulation. For California's 16th District, similar action is needed towards fixing the Friant-Kern Canal, the largest part of the Central Valley Project on the eastside of the Central Valley.

Through smart policy and prudent leadership, I am confident that we can work together and ensure generations of future Americans can access, manage, and protect their natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act and I urge them to vote YES.

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