View in Browser <[link removed]> <[link removed]> June Newsletter We hope that June 2020 will be remembered as a watershed moment in the history of American conservation. In what Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) called a “historic opportunity for conservation <[link removed]> ,” the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act by an overwhelming bipartisan 73-25 vote. A companion bill in the House of Representatives <[link removed]> is expected to pass, and President Trump has said he will sign it into law. The legislation fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) <[link removed]> and addresses a backlog of $20 billion in delayed maintenance projects on federal lands. Most importantly, if passed, the act will create thousands of new jobs and help towns whose economies depend on outdoor recreation recover from the recent public health crisis. Even the timing was perfect as June is Great Outdoors Month <[link removed]> . The celebrations include National Trails Day on the first Saturday of June, followed a week later by National Get Outdoors Day. Some Americans were able to mark those occasions by visiting our public lands. The national parks are continuing to reopen in phases, including Yosemite National Park <[link removed]> , Zion National Park <[link removed]> , Grand Teton National Park <[link removed]> , Arches National Park <[link removed]> , Great Sand Dunes National Park <[link removed]> , and the Grand Canyon <[link removed]> . The recent surges in COVID infections are causing concern, however, so please be certain to continue social distancing and follow all guidelines from the parks as well as state and local officials. ConservAmerica is continuing to focus our advocacy efforts for the Great American Outdoors Act and other critical conservation issues. An overlook on a lovely early summer day, Gambrill State Park, Maryland ConservAmerica Monthly News Senators Manchin and Gardner Share Insights on the Great American Outdoors Act in Webinar Days before the historic Senate vote on the Great American Outdoors Act, ConservAmerica was proud to host another edition of our ongoing webinar series. In addition to a panel of experts, we were thrilled to be joined by two of the legislation’s authors, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO). If you missed it, you can read our blog post <[link removed]> or watch a recording <[link removed]> of the webinar. ConservAmerica Webinar Reveals Opposition to Pebble Mine Project Another webinar in our series featured three experts on the Pebble Mine proposal. The mine is located on a site near Bristol Bay in southwestern Alaska and is in the final permitting stage. The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will decide the future of Pebble Mine in the coming months, but most experts and local residents oppose the project. Bristol Bay is very remote, undeveloped, and home to large fisheries. The panelists warned the mine could disrupt job opportunities, local economies, and the natural landscape. You can watch the webinar here <[link removed]> and read more here <[link removed]> . ConservAmerica’s Response to President Trump’s Executive Order on Infrastructure On June 4th, President Trump issued an executive order that expedited infrastructure investments and projects to boost the economy. As part of this order, agency directors were permitted to use emergency procedures consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to stimulate new projects. ConservAmerica has already outlined the deficiencies in the current NEPA process and has supported the Administration’s proposal to revamp it. At the same time, we think that it is essential to balance environmental protections with economic development. Read our statement <[link removed]> here. ConservAmerica Supports Clear, Consistent Costs Benefits Analysis for Clean Air Act Regulations The EPA issued a proposal <[link removed]> to amend the Clean Air Act rulemaking process to require an analysis of the costs and benefits to the public and provide clear guidance on rulemaking considerations. We support a proper analysis of costs and benefits as “an essential component of responsible regulation,” and believe that it is important to maintain clarity and transparency for stakeholders in the rulemaking process. You can read our statement here <[link removed]> . Other Monthly News Senators Introduce the Growing Climate Solutions Act The Growing Climate Solutions Act <[link removed]> is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The bill creates a USDA certification program for agricultural and forestry sectors to navigate carbon credit markets. The programs would connect landowners and farmers to certified third parties with sustainable environmental practices that can reduce carbon emissions. You can read ConservAmerica’s comment here <[link removed]> . Op-Ed: “Public Lands Will Be Crucial to Colorado’s COVID-19 Recovery” Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Mayor Wade Troxell of Fort Collins coauthored an op-ed discussing how the Great American Outdoors Act can help Colorado recover its economy after the recent economic crisis. By funding conservation projects, the Act promises to create jobs, boost the economy, and allow Coloradoans to enjoy the outdoors. Read the editorial at The Coloradoan <[link removed]> . American Climate Contract gains traction Our friends at the American Conservation Coalition have received some high-level support for their innovation-based climate platform. Supporters include: Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Greg Walden (R-OR.), Select Committee on the Climate Crisis ranking member Garret Graves (R-LA.), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA.) and John Curtis (R-UT). "As we look to rebuild our nation, I believe we have an opportunity to do so while creating a cleaner future for all Americans," McCarthy said in a statement. "That's why I am excited about efforts like those of the American Conservation Coalition, which will build on the energy and economic renaissance that the United States has been leading for years," he said. From Our Blog <[link removed]> Legislators Look to Leverage Nation’s Supply of Critical Minerals <[link removed]> As the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated, the United States’ over-reliance on foreign imports of critical minerals, particularly those that are available domestically, can have dangerous effects. Read More <[link removed]> Legislators Look to Leverage Nation’s Supply of Critical Minerals <[link removed]> As the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated, the United States’ over-reliance on foreign imports of critical minerals, particularly those that are available domestically, can have dangerous effects. Read More <[link removed]> Webinar Panelists Oppose Pebble Mine <[link removed]> On Wednesday, ConservAmerica hosted the latest in our series of webinars discussing environment and conservation issues. This edition dealt with the proposal to operate a mine (Pebble Mine) at a site Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Webinar Panelists Oppose Pebble Mine <[link removed]> On Wednesday, ConservAmerica hosted the latest in our series of webinars discussing environment and conservation issues. This edition dealt with the proposal to operate a mine (Pebble Mine) at a site Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act <[link removed]> WASHINGTON, DC — ConservAmerica President Jeff Kupfer applauded the Senate for passing the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act with two-thirds of the chamber voting for the landmark conservation Read More <[link removed]> Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act <[link removed]> WASHINGTON, DC — ConservAmerica President Jeff Kupfer applauded the Senate for passing the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act with two-thirds of the chamber voting for the landmark conservation Read More <[link removed]> After Winning Procedural Vote, the Great American Outdoors Act Continues to Gain Momentum <[link removed]> The U.S. Senate debated the Great American Outdoors Act <[link removed]> yesterday afternoon, and by the early evening, ended up voting to invoke cloture by a count of 80-17. This last procedural hurdle means that Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> After Winning Procedural Vote, the Great American Outdoors Act Continues to Gain Momentum <[link removed]> The U.S. Senate debated the Great American Outdoors Act <[link removed]> yesterday afternoon, and by the early evening, ended up voting to invoke cloture by a count of 80-17. This last procedural hurdle means that Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> ConservAmerica, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC, United States Unsubscribe <[link removed]> Powered by Squarespace <[link removed]>