Colorado Wilderness Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to be one of the sponsors of this great legislation, and I am grateful that it includes, as title II, my bill, the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act.

This bill addresses some lands in my district that are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems and exciting outdoor recreation opportunities you will find anywhere in California. These areas are home to old-growth trees critical for carbon sequestration, rivers that provide fish habitat and unparalleled recreation, and mountain trails that offer hiking, biking, and other unique experiences.

Being active in the outdoors and experiencing wild places is a way of life in my district. Over the past year, with lockdowns and isolation, we have seen how important getting outside has been for our well-being. We all depend on the ecological, economic, and mental health benefits that our public lands provide, and that is why my legislation takes a multifaceted approach to public land management.

First, it includes an ambitious restoration plan to improve forest health, promote fire resilience, and protect communities.

Second, it recognizes the importance of the outdoor recreation economy by increasing recreational opportunities and tourism. Investing in our public lands means we are also investing in communities near our public lands, and that is why there is so much broad support in my district for this bill.

Then, finally, this legislation protects important wild places. These areas include critical habitat and ecosystems as well as some of the best fishing, hiking, and white water runs in the State. It takes conservation seriously because it is urgently needed for the future of our planet.

I would also like to explain the process. I believe good process leads to good policy, and we have worked very hard on this bill, starting when I first got to Congress. We have asked stakeholders about policy issues that should be addressed in public lands legislation. The legislation was further refined over more than 5 years of work. I have repeatedly sat down with constituents at public meetings and otherwise. We have discussed all the concerns that were addressed by local officials.

I believe that this comprehensive, carefully developed bill reflects that good process in the fact that we have such broad support, including conservation organizations, outdoor recreation groups, dozens of businesses, community leaders, adjacent landowners, and former and current elected officials from all the affected counties. It also drew bipartisan support in the Natural Resources Committee, which is a rare thing for a wilderness-related bill.

This bill is focused on a future for northwest California, where public lands are resilient and our outdoor recreation economy grows while we preserve environmental values for future generations.

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