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Pappas Votes to Protect New Hampshire’s Natural Environment with Landmark Conservation Legislation

July 22, 2020

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) voted to pass the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act to preserve New Hampshire's natural environment for generations to come by providing permanent, full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and creating the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.

This legislation will fully fund the LWCF at $900 million annually, well above its yearly average funding level. This fund is used each year to enhance and establish local, state and national preservation areas including everything from local playgrounds to national park expansions. The legislation also creates the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to provide funding to the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Education to fix buildings, trails, roads and other public infrastructure in need of repair for the next five years.

"From the Mount Washington Valley to Great Bay, New Hampshire's way of life and our economy are rooted in our natural surroundings. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that future generations of Granite Staters can enjoy the benefits of our natural environment," said Congressman Pappas. "This historic, bipartisan bill is one of the most significant pieces of conservation legislation Congress has taken up in decades, and it could not come at a more critical time. I am committed protecting New Hampshire's forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains and doing my part to ensure that we leave our state better than how we found it. The Great American Outdoors Act will do help us do just that."

"From the beginning, the Granite State's natural heritage has been a cornerstone of our identity, our economy and our culture. The Great American Outdoors Act is an important investment in conservation, securing the resources needed to care for our public lands, create jobs and expand access to the outdoors that everyone has the right to enjoy," said Jim O'Brien, Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire. "Today's overwhelming vote to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and invest in our national parks and public lands reflects the importance of our outdoors to our economy, our communities and our well-being. We are grateful to Representative Pappas for his leadership and vote to help pass this important legislation."

"Now, perhaps more than ever, Americans are showing how essential it is to be able to access public land and water for both physical and mental health," said John Judge, President and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. "AMC applauds the leadership Congressman Pappas has demonstrated through his support and vote for the Great American Outdoors Act and urges swift action on the part of the President to sign this bill into law to permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and address the backlog of maintenance on our public lands. Today, Congress has taken truly historic action to support our nation's vibrant recreation economy and local communities, as well as help ensure that everyone will be able to reach a park, forest, or trail near them to enjoy time in the outdoors that is truly restorative."

"On behalf of the Forest Society, I want to thank Congressman Chris Pappas for his leadership on the passage of this important legislation. New Hampshire's quality of life and livelihood has always been tied to our forests and natural areas. The Forest Society's Moose Mountains Reservation is just one example of how the Land and Water Conservation Fund has strengthened this connection between healthy forests and a healthy quality of life. With the passage of the GAOA, we are hopeful that all the stakeholders in New Hampshire-from private landowners to state agencies- will be able to celebrate more projects like Moose Mountains," said Forest Society President Jack Savage

New Hampshire's $8.7 billion outdoor recreation industry is an economic driver for the entire state – supporting 79,000 jobs which generates $2.6 billion in wages and salaries and produces $528 million annually in state and local tax revenue. In New Hampshire, the LWCF has invested more than $163 million to protect forests, wildlife refuges, trails, and to increase recreation access. LWCF has protected places like White Mountain National Forest, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Connecticut Lakes, Moose Brook State Park, and Pisgah State Park.

Background:

The Land and Water Conservation Fund, often referred to as LWCF, is used each year to enhance and establish local, state and national preservation areas. LWCF funds everything from local playgrounds to national park expansions and is one of the country's most popular conservation programs.

Protecting public lands and preserving natural wildlife habitats is now more important than ever. Temperatures have increased about 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and the United Nations recently found that human activities threaten 1 million plants and animals with extinction.

An expanded LWCF will, among other things, mean more opportunities to preserve green spaces in currently low income and park-poor communities. The Great American Outdoors Act advances the cause of environmental justice by giving community planners more resources to improve outdoor access for underserved children and families unaccustomed to outdoor activities.