Alex Simpkins, alexander.simpkins@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON D.C.-- The House Appropriations Committee today took up the FY2021 Interior and EPA spending bills. The bills increase funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency and include specific provisions for fighting racism, increasing environmental justice activities and funding research into the role of protecting wildlife and wild places to prevent future pandemics.
In response Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Kirin Kennedy released the following statement.
“We commend the House, and the leadership of Reps. Lowey and McCollum, for working to fund the agencies and programs that help keep our communities safe and healthy. A budget is a reflection of values; fully funding safeguards for clean air, clean water, wildlife health and focusing on supporting those most harmed by the current pandemic sends a clear message that people, not corporate polluters, must come first.
“We urge the House to quickly move these bills and the Senate to follow suit.”
BILL HIGHLIGHTS:
U.S. Department of the Interior -- Increased funding for wildlife and land conservation, including $72 million for sage grouse conservation; limits seismic testing for offshore oil and gas drilling.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- Increased funding to help conserve wildlife, stop wildlife trafficking, and research zoonotic diseases to prevent future pandemics.
National Park Service -- Mandates the removal of all physical Confederate commemorative works and requires an inventory of assets under the agency's purview named for Confederate figures; includes $136 million for the Historic Preservation Fund to preserve underrepresented civil rights sites, grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
U.S. Forest Service -- Provides $174.13 million above FY 2020 levels for wildfire management; preserves roadless areas in the Tongass National Forest.
Environmental Protection Agency -- Includes $15 million for environmental justice activities, plus additional funding in targeted infrastructure grants for disadvantaged communities. $575 million for compliance and enforcement; $12.9 million for PFAS protections; $2.76 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and additional funds for Brownfield cleanups.
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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.