[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 38 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the passage of S. 
47, the Natural Resources Management Act. This bipartisan

[[Page E238]]

legislation demonstrates what can be accomplished when we collaborate 
and negotiate. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, 
it is my responsibility to help protect and manage our natural 
resources.
  In my home state of California, national parks hold a special place 
in our hearts. This bill expands several national parks in California, 
notably Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Mojave National Park. In 
addition, it expands wilderness designation, recreation and 
conservation areas, national monument designations, national trail 
system, and our national wild and scenic river system.
  While I applaud extensions of our public lands for all Americans to 
enjoy, Congress must do its job to ensure appropriate infrastructure 
maintenance. California's 16th District is the gateway to the crown 
jewel of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite alone has 
more than $555 million dollars in deferred maintenance. Last Congress, 
I cosponsored the National Park Legacy Act because I believe Congress 
can and should do more to ensure the legacy of our National Parks.
  A critical part of this bill permanently authorizes the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund, a key program that helped protect nearly 2.5 
million acres and provided $4 billion in state grants for conservation 
and recreation projects. As I have consistently advocated for over the 
years, it is imperative we turn our attention to fixing our broken 
water infrastructure. I applaud my colleagues in the Senate and the 
House for including legislation addressing the Contra Costa Canal 
Transfer. This project is a common-sense solution that allows the water 
district to complete necessary safety improvements to the canal while 
reducing government regulation. For California's 16th District, similar 
action is needed towards fixing the Friant-Kern Canal, the largest part 
of the Central Valley Project on the eastside of the Central Valley.
  Through smart policy and prudent leadership, I am confident that we 
can work together and ensure generations of future Americans can 
access, manage, and protect their natural resources.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage 
S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act and I urge them to vote 
YES.

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