Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey joined with a bipartisan group of members late last week to introduce the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address the nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog in our national parks and other land management agencies. Rep. Sherrill was joined by author Representative Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), TJ Cox (D-Calif.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Kendra Horn (D-Okla.), Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), Jared Golden (D-Maine), and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.).
This bill is the House companion legislation to the Great American Outdoors Act introduced in the Senate by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.). The Great American Outdoors Act has drawn the support of more than 900 organizations across the country, including local businesses, the recreation industry, veterans groups, conservation organizations, tourism and travel associations, sportsmen, and infrastructure groups.
“New Jerseyans know the importance of clean air, clean drinking water, and protecting our natural resources,” said Rep. Sherrill. “Grant funding from the LWCF has helped the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge purchase property to expand its conservation efforts, protect Morristown National Historical Park, and other sites located in the 11th District. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to permanently fund the LWCF and I will continue to work to protect New Jersey’s open spaces.”
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“Now, more than ever, we need clean water for drinking and open space for passive recreation to escape the confines of our homes,” said Sally Rubin, executive director of Great Swamp Watershed Association. “Great Swamp Watershed Association wholeheartedly supports the Great American Outdoors Act to provide full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and thanks Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and the other Congressional leaders introducing and supporting this bill.”