National Recreation Area

Floor Speech

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, the San Gabriel Mountains are a defining feature of my district, and their peaks form a beautiful crown for the Los Angeles region. But they are deteriorating as forest rangers grapple with more than 3 million visitors annually.

Trails are marked by graffiti instead of signs, trash litters the ground as receptacles overflow, and blatant safety hazards leave the public at risk and threaten our water supply.

That is why I am introducing legislation to designate this area as a National Recreation Area. It would allow the National Park Service to work with the Forest Service and local partners on community-based, community-driven protection and restoration projects. It could mean more small parks in underserved communities, better access and connectivity to trails and bike paths from within our urban cities, new signs in the mountains, more bathrooms, more picnic areas, educational programs for a sustainable future, and more visitor services.

Our community deserves to see these mountains protected permanently. I urge my colleagues to support this effort.

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