Thank You, California’s Public Lands & Rivers Champions!
As we close out 2021, we want to thank our champions for California’s public lands and rivers: Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein, and Representatives Salud Carbajal, Judy Chu, Jared Huffman, and Adam Schiff. Below are some of our favorite highlights from the year!
Senator Padilla Introduced the PUBLIC Lands Act in the Senate
This year our champions continued leading the way to protect California’s public lands and rivers. Senator Padilla introduced the PUBLIC Lands Act with Senator Feinstein, which will protect over a million acres of public lands and over 500 miles of rivers in Northwest California, along the Central Coast, and in the Los Angeles region. This was the fourth bill Senator Padilla championed after taking office in the Senate and demonstrates the Senator’s commitment to protecting our public lands and rivers for all Californians.
Senator Padilla announced the bill’s introduction at a community event in May with Representative Judy Chu (CA-27), Representative Grace Napolitano (CA-32), California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Chief Anthony Morales and his son, Anthony Morales (Gabrielino/Tongva Tribe), Graciela Cabello (Los Padres ForestWatch), Vanessa Aramayo (Alliance for a Better Community), and other supporters.
Senator Padilla introduced the PUBLIC Lands Act at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA (with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background) in May. Photo credit: Bryan Matsumoto.
Event attendees pose for a photo with Secretary Crowfoot (back row), Andrew Morales, Chief Anthony Morales, Senator Padilla, and Representative Napolitano (middle row). Photo credit: Nature for All.
Senator Padilla also testified in support of the bill during a subsequent hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Senator remarked:
“I am proud to see the PUBLIC Lands Act gain momentum in the Senate, and I’m going to keep pushing to advance this legislation until it reaches the President’s desk for signature. Enacting this legislation this year is necessary because our public lands are our best natural weapon to fight the climate crisis, protect clean air, and reduce emissions. The bill is also an essential equity bill because it protects public lands and rivers near communities that have limited access to the outdoors. Now is the time to pass these vital protections into law and finally protect these public lands for generations to come.”
Senator Feinstein Introduced Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act in the Senate
Senator Feinstein introduced the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act along with Senator Padilla, which would add more than 191,000 acres of the Rim of the Valley Corridor to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The Rim of the Valley stretches from the Simi Hills and Santa Susanas to the Verdugos and on to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Senator Feinstein also helped secure a hearing for this legislation in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
House Champions Lead Passage of the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act
This year in the House, Representatives Carbajal, Chu, Huffman, and Schiff helped secure passage - twice - of complementary legislation to the PUBLIC Lands Act: the Protecting America’s Wilderness (PAW) Act. In addition to protecting areas in Northwest California, the Central Coast, and the San Gabriel Mountains, the PAW Act includes the Rim of the Valley Corridor in the Los Angeles region.
Community Members Raised Their Voices in Support of Protecting California Public Lands & Rivers
Residents throughout the state raised their voices in support of these important bills. Outdoor equity leaders, elected officials, veterans, business owners, conservation leaders, and other community members came together to call on Congress to pass these important safeguards for our public lands and rivers.
Onward to 2022
Thank you, Senator Padilla for championing protections for California’s public lands and rivers so early in your first term as Senator. We’re grateful to Senator Feinstein and Representatives Carbajal, Chu, Huffman, and Schiff for continuing to prioritize this legislation in the House. And, thank you to our supporters from all around the state for reinforcing the value of these important bills for California.
We’re eager to see this momentum continue next year. Not only would this legislation help increase access to the outdoors and benefit our economy, but it’s also a clear pathway to achieving state and federal goals to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030.
Let’s keep up the good work in 2022!