Natural Resources Management Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 47, this lands package.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both the chairman and the ranking member for their bipartisan work on this important bill.

Our public lands define our Montana way of life. Three principles guide my approach: conserve our public lands, increase public access, and trust our local communities.

These principles guided me to protect the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. I met with the residents and community leaders, and the consensus is clear: They don't want mining in Paradise Valley. That is why I introduced the legislation to permanently ban mining on 30,000 acres of public land just outside Yellowstone Park. That measure is included in this package today.

This package also permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Susan and I raised our kids hunting, fishing, and backpacking on our public lands in Montana, and I know how critical LWCF is to Montana.

Permanently protecting the gateway to Yellowstone and permanently reauthorizing LWCF will help preserve and expand public access to our public lands.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge passage of this bill. It is so important to Montana.

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