Schumer, Clinton Legislation Preserving Highlands Passes Senate

SCHUMER, CLINTON LEGISLATION PRESERVING HIGHLANDS PASSES SENATE

Bill would provide $100 million to preserve open space for future generations

Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced that the legislation they co-cponsored to preserve the Highlands region passed the Senate. The bill would authorize $100 millionover the next ten years for the purchase of open space in the Highlands region, which stretches from Connecticut across the Lower Hudson River Valley and through northern New Jersey to Pennsylvania. In addition, another $10 million would go to the U.S. Forest Service for planning assistance each year. The bill will now be sent to the House for final approval before heading the President's desk. Senators Clinton and Schumer introduced Highlands legislation earlier this year, along with Senators Jon S. Corzine (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

"This legislation is crucial in protecting quality drinking water to more than 11 million people in the four-state region, recreational land and open space in the Highlands providing habitat to many endangered species of plants and animals," said Schumer. "With the pressure of sprawl constantly increasing and threatening our open spaces, we need to take steps to make sure that the clean air, water, and environment that New Yorkers enjoy today survive for future generations. This legislation makes a big step forward in that effort."

"It is vital that we continue to preserve our open space in the New York metropolitan region and the Lower Hudson Valley. This legislation is an important step for the environmental health of the Highlands but it is also an important step towards preserving our open space and our quality of life," Senator Clinton said.