Aguilar’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Environmental Protections and Grow Economy in San Bernardino County Heads to President’s Desk
The House of Representatives passed S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. The legislative package of over 100 public lands bills included Rep. Pete Aguilar’s Santa Ana Wash Plan Exchange Act, a bill that would initiate a land exchange between the San Bernardino Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to continue mining operations on designated parcels of land within the Santa Ana Wash, resulting in an estimated $47 million in investments into local infrastructure projects. The bill would also expand conservation areas for threatened or endangered plants and animals within the Santa Ana Wash.
“I’m proud that Congress came together in bipartisan way to pass this legislation. The Santa Ana Wash Plan will not only expand conservation within our community, but will serve as a catalyst for economic development in San Bernardino County, supporting jobs for years to come,” said Rep. Aguilar.
S. 47 passed the Senate on February 12th, and will now be delivered to the White House to be signed into law by President Trump. In addition to the Santa Ana Wash Plan, S. 47 includes 1.3 million acres of new protected wilderness and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
