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,” the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act by an overwhelming bipartisan 73-25 vote. A companion bill in the House of Representatives 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) 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. 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, Zion National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Arches National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Grand Canyon. 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.

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 or watch a recording 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 and read more here.

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 here.

ConservAmerica Supports Clear, Consistent Costs Benefits Analysis for Clean Air Act Regulations

The EPA issued a proposal 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.

Other Monthly News

Senators Introduce the Growing Climate Solutions Act

The Growing Climate Solutions Act 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.

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.

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.

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