Parks Group Praises Newly Introduced Securing America’s Future and Environment Act for Its Ability to Stimulate the Economy, Preserve Parks and Other Natural Areas
|
PRESS RELEASE
|
|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | November 16, 2011 |
| Contact: | Bart Melton, Senior Manager, Landscape Conservation, National Parks Conservation Association, (202) 454-3326, (C) (202) 494-7880, bmelton@npca.org Jeff Billington, Senior Media Relations Manager, National Parks Conservation Association, (202) 419-3717, jbillington@npca.org |
Parks Group Praises Newly Introduced Securing America’s Future and Environment Act for Its Ability to Stimulate the Economy, Preserve Parks and Other Natural Areas
Legislation from Sens. Baucus and Whitehouse will benefit national park communities across the nation by creating jobs, supporting businesses, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas
Statement by NPCA Senior Manager of Landscape Conservation Bart Melton
“Through the introduction of this legislation, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have shown a deep commitment to the long-term health of America’s national parks. The Securing America’s Future and Environment Act (SAFE Act) would protect American communities and wildlife habitat from the effects of climate change, while at the same time creating jobs and helping secure lasting economic benefits for national park communities.
“The legislation rests on a proven concept, that healthy public lands are an economic powerhouse for this country. Each year, our public lands, including our national parks, are responsible for $730 billion in economic activity and 6.5 million jobs. This legislation will provide a tremendous boost for preserving and growing this major slice of our economy by protecting, restoring, and conserving these important natural resources.
“The Whitehouse-Baucus legislation would create jobs— such as forest restoration and watershed rehabilitation, coastal reconstruction, and proactive land management — that protect our natural resources from the unavoidable effects of climate change impacts. The type of projects encouraged by this legislation have already effectively boosted economies and protected communities from Acadia National Park in Maine to the Crown of the Continent in Montana to Olympic National Park in Washington state.”
###
