Contact: Angela Benander (202) 495-3048 or angela.benander@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives decisively passed (363-63) the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) to protect and invest in America’s public lands. The legislation establishes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, includes the Every Kid Outdoors Act, and protects more than three million new acres of public land, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Emery County and Yellowstone Gateway, and the Methow Headwaters Withdrawal. It also creates a new National Monument honoring civil rights icon Medgar Evers in Mississippi. The bill now heads to the White House for signature.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“It’s rare to see Congress act in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner, but today reminds everyone that the protection of our public lands isn’t a red or blue issue, it’s an American one. The Sierra Club applauds Congress for passing the largest single wilderness bill in a decade. This is a historic day for the American people and for the public spaces we all enjoy and explore. This well-negotiated compromise will have positive, lasting effects for generations to come. Our members and allies have put in years of work to reach this moment and we are grateful for the congressional leaders who worked diligently to pass this historic legislation.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.