Land and Water Conservation Fund

Floor Speech

Madam Speaker, this month we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Wilderness Act, two of our Nation's most effective conservation tools.

In California, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided more than $2 billion to protect some of our most iconic natural landmarks. In my district alone, this includes the Point Reyes National Seashore, Redwood National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and countless State parks, trails, and recreation areas. The fund uses zero taxpayer dollars for these investments in the economic and environmental well-being of our communities; instead, it is funded by revenues from offshore oil and gas activities.

We celebrate also the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which has protected some of our Nation's most pristine and intact wild places. As climate change begins to take its toll, protecting these wild places will be even more vital to the survival of many threatened and endangered species and to the conservation values that are part of our national fabric.

This should not be a partisan issue. Every American benefits from these two important laws and the lands they protect. Please join me in supporting them for another 50 years.

Source