Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House Natural Resources Committee took up legislation to designate new wilderness in California, Washington, and Colorado. Included in the bills passed out of committee are the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (H.R. 2199); San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 2215); Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act (H.R. 2250); Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (H.R. 2642); the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019 (H.R. 2546); and the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act (H.R. 1708).
In response, Athan Manuel, director of public lands protection for Sierra Club issued the following statement.
“We’re pleased to see new wilderness legislation moving forward. These places are pristine natural wonders and provide outdoor opportunities from the back yard of urban centers like Los Angeles to the open spaces of Colorado; they deserve to be protected. Protecting and restoring existing natural areas, safeguarding additional wild places, and connecting people to public lands in new ways-- this is what we need to ensure a healthy future for our outdoors, and for our families in the face of a changing climate. Protected public lands are a vital part of the climate crisis solution, drawing down existing climate pollution and providing space for people and wildlife to adapt.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.