Statement: Protecting America’s Recreation and Conservation Act (PARC Act)

HECHO Statement on the

Protecting America’s Recreation and Conservation Act (PARC Act)

November 17, 2015

Salt Lake City, UT -- Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) Chief Conservation Officer and former Utah BLM State Director released this statement on the Protecting America’s Recreation and Conservation Act (PARC Act):

“Congressman Bishop is working overtime to end the Land & Water Conservation Fund as we know it.  Instead of allowing a hearing on H.R. 1814 – a bill that would permanently authorize LWCF and has 195 bipartisan co-sponsors – he has introduced his own proposal that favors special interests, and is granting that a hearing instead. Mr. Bishop’s proposal is an attempt to dismantle a simple, tried-and-true program established to protect parks, trails, and wildlife. LWCF has worked for 50 years as it is. The focus of any hearing should be moving H.R. 1814 across the finish line.”

“At the end of the day, LWCF is a vital extension of our existing historic and cultural preservation systems – a part of our collective American heritage that’s one of the most important legacies to be handed down to our children and grandchildren. It’s not just land and it’s not just water, our public lands tell the story of our country’s colorful, multicultural history and they are the essence of our democracy – where all Americans have equal ownership and access regardless of cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds.

“We urge the House Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing for H.R. 1814  and send it to a vote to make permanent the authorization for LWCF.” 

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