http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=99681.0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30,
2009
Contact: Kristina
Johnson
541-914-9744
President Obama to Sign Historic Wilderness Bill
Washington, D.C. -
Today, President Obama is set to sign the biggest public
lands protection
bill in decades. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of
2009 will
safeguard millions of acres of new wilderness, protect hundreds
of miles of
rivers, expand trails, and keep important habitat in Wyoming
safe from oil
and gas leasing.
For more information on the bill, go to:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=98581.0
Statement of
Sierra Club Public Lands Director Athan Manuel:
This is a historic day
for conservation. For years, volunteers and
conservationists from coast to
coast have worked tirelessly to make this
happen. This is the most important
lands protection legislation in decades.
By signing this bill into law,
President Obama ensures that our children
and grandchildren will be able to
enjoy America's last, best wild places.
This bill helps guarantee that
future generations will be able to hike in
pristine forests from California
to West Virginia. They'll be able to fish
America's untouched rivers, watch
antelope migrate through Wyoming, and
take their families camping in the
stunning Rocky Mountains.
In these tough economic times, our public lands
are more crucial than ever.
Wilderness, rivers, trails and parks support
important tourist economies
across the country. This legislation will help
protect the tourist dollars
and jobs that hunting, fishing, and outdoor
recreation generate.
As global warming changes wildlife habitat and food
sources, it's more
important than ever that we take care of our last
remaining wild forests
and rivers. If we hope to help wildlife adapt and
survive global warming,
we have to protect the corridors where they migrate
and the places where
they raise their
young.
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