[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 74 (Thursday, April 29, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 1459. A bill to provide for the protection of and investment in 
certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the ``Protecting 
Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) 
Lands Act.'' This measure would increase protections for over 1 million 
acres of Federal public lands throughout northwest California, the 
Central Coast, and Los Angeles, including nearly 600,000 acres of new 
wilderness, more than 583 miles of new wild and scenic rivers, and the 
expansion of an existing national monument by more than 100,000 acres.
  This legislation would preserve our public lands for the benefit of 
current and future generations and help protect California's 
communities from the impacts of the climate crisis.
  The ``PUBLIC Lands Act'' is grounded in the best conservation 
principles: it expands access to the outdoors for all, addresses 
disparities in access to nature, supports locally led efforts, and is 
based on science.
  In Northwest California, this bill would designate new wilderness, 
wild and scenic rivers, recreation and conservation areas, and forest 
and watershed restoration areas. Importantly, it would increase 
wildfire resiliency in Northwest California, where the impacts of the 
climate crisis have resulted in more frequent and severe wildfires.
  Along the Central Coast, the bill would designate nearly 250,000 
acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo 
Plain National Monument as wilderness, and establish a 400-mile long 
Condor National Recreation trail, stretching from Los Angeles to 
Monterey County. The designations in the bill would protect the Central 
Valley's abundant biodiversity, including threatened and endangered 
species.
  In Southern California, the bill would expand the San Gabriel 
Mountains National Monument and establish a new National Recreation 
Area along the foothills and San Gabriel River corridor. Los Angeles 
County is one of the most park-poor, densely populated, and polluted 
regions in the Nation--this legislation would begin to rectify that by 
providing increased outdoor opportunities for all Angelenos, ensuring 
that disadvantaged communities can more easily benefit from our public 
lands.
  I want to highlight that this legislation protects existing water 
rights, property rights, and land-use authorities. The bill does not 
create any new public lands--rather, it protects existing public lands 
through the high-value designation as wilderness in order to keep these 
lands as untouched and wild as possible.
  The science is becoming increasingly clear that we must conserve 30 
percent of our lands and waters by 2030 in our efforts to solve the 
climate crisis, protect nature, and save America's wildlife. This 
legislation would provide a down payment on that goal, helping 
California and the Biden Administration meet our 30x30 goals and 
reverse the worst effects of climate change.
  The bill would also provide outdoor recreation opportunities to park-
poor communities. It is imperative that as we conserve our public 
lands, we do so in a way that also reverses racial and economic 
disparities in access to nature and parks.
  This bill enjoys the support of hundreds of local municipalities and 
elected officials, community groups, and businesses and local 
outfitters. It is the product of significant public engagement in the 
legislative process over decades.
  I would like to thank my colleagues and conservation champions, 
Representatives Jared Huffman, Salud Carbajal, and Judy Chu, for 
championing these bills in the House.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the ``PUBLIC 
Lands Act'' as quickly as possible.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
                                 ______