WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden’s statement of support for the “Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act” demonstrated that he is prioritizing conservation and restoration of our nation’s most cherished landscapes and watersheds while building on the outdoor recreation economy. 
 
“It’s noteworthy that one of the very first pieces of legislation that President Biden is singling out for support addresses threats to public lands and clean water, expands access to outdoor recreation, and creates jobs in rural communities,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The Biden White House clearly recognizes that our public lands and waters are national treasures that we must conserve and restore for future generations.”
 
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the public lands bill later this week. It includes eight previously introduced measures, including the Grand Canyon Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), which permanently protects the greater Grand Canyon region from new mining claims.
 
It also includes the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), which would protect 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado and expand outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition, there are six other measures to protect rivers and wilderness areas in the West. These locally-based collaborative proposals can serve as a model for the president’s commitment to conserving and restoring 30% of our lands and waters by 2030.