Gianforte Joins President Trump for Signing of Sweeping Public Lands Bill
Statement
Congressman Greg Gianforte joined President Trump in the Oval Office today for the signing of the public lands package which includes two measures Gianforte has championed and led.
The omnibus legislation, S. 47, includes the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and a permanent withdrawal of mineral rights on public land north of Yellowstone National Park.
"Today, we celebrate this new law, this victory for Montana," Gianforte said. "Communities throughout Montana came together in support of conserving our public lands, and they deserve a lot of credit for getting this across the finish line. I'll continue working with Montanans to improve public access to our public lands and protect our Montana way of life."
Gianforte has been a consistent supporter of the permanent reauthorization of the LWCF. In the last Congress, Gianforte cosponsored H.R. 502, which permanently reauthorizes the LWCF, and voted twice for it.
Gianforte most recently introduced the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, H.R. 426, in January 2019. The bill withdraws mineral rights and bans mining operations on approximately 30,000 acres of public land in an area north of the park. The permanent moratorium enjoys widespread support from the community. In the last Congress, Gianforte introduced the same bill, H.R. 4644, and guided it to passage through the House Natural Resources Committee.
Montanans celebrated the public lands package, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, becoming law.
"Montana's public lands provide a platform for economic advantages, and invaluable business opportunities across the state. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has contributed roughly $587 billion for recreation and conservation projects across Montana since its inception over 50 years ago. Business for Montana's Outdoors is pleased by the good work of Representative Gianforte and our entire Congressional delegation, for getting LWCF finally across the finish line to permanent reauthorization - and we remain hopeful that the next step to safeguard this program for all Montana businesses is full, dedicated funding," said Marne Hayes of Business for Montana's Outdoors.
"March 12, 2019 will forever live in the hearts of the local businesses and communities of the Paradise Valley. The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act is as much about the people who live here, as it is about the forests, the mountains, and the river that runs through the heart of it all. This legislation reflects the hearts of the people who make this part of Montana home, and we are grateful Montana's delegation pushed it over the finish line," said Colin Davis, owner of Chico Hot Springs Resort.
"The passage of this historic lands package demonstrates that conservation is a bipartisan issue. We were pleased to work with Montana's Congressional delegation to protect the Yellowstone gateway from mining, and to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Public lands are our common ground," said John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance.
"RMEF appreciates the efforts of Congressman Gianforte to help bring the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act to the president's desk. This legislation greatly benefits sportsmen and women throughout the country by permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and improving access to federal lands for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting," said R. Kyle Weaver, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
"We're grateful to Congressman Gianforte for being a champion of permanent LWCF authorization. His efforts helped get this this important bill to the President's desk for signing. We look forward to continuing our work with Congressman Gianforte to secure the funding needed for LWCF now and into the future to meet Montana's critical conservation needs," said Dick Dolan, Northern Rockies director of the Trust for Public Land.
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