On President Obama Signing Omnibus Public Lands Management Act

I was so pleased to join President Obama today as he signed the most significant conservation measure to be enacted by Congress in the last 15 years. This bipartisan legislation will create more than 2 million new acres of wilderness, including more than 700,000 acres in my own state of California, and strengthen rural economies from coast to coast.

This landmark legislation will conserve public lands for future generations and includes numerous water-related provisions that will help manage drought, particularly in the West, improve aging infrastructure, recharge groundwater supplies, and promote the reuse and recycling of water.

Today is a great day for all who care about our beautiful country and its pristine natural heritage.

(Photo courtesy of the White House, 3/30/09, Chuck Kennedy)