Following news that the Senate just passed a public lands package 92-8 that includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and that also protects millions of acres of public land, Western Values Project Executive Director Chris Saeger released the following statement:

“We applaud the Senate for finally passing the most comprehensive public lands package in a decade. Now that the Senate has done its job, the House needs to get this public lands package passed across the finish line and onto the President’s desk for his signature. It’s long past time to bring the Land and Water Conservation Fund, our nation’s bedrock conservation program, back to life.”

Since the program lapsed in September 2018, Americans have lost over $332 million in critical funding for public lands, parks and public access.