Keystone XL Pipeline Act--Continued

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAINES. Madam President, as a fifth-generation Montanan and
lifelong sportsman, I have a deep appreciation for our public lands.
Hunting, fishing, and hiking on our public lands are important parts of
many Montanan's way of life. These are traditions I have enjoyed in my
life and traditions I have also enjoyed with my kids.

It is important our State's outdoor heritage is protected for future
generations. That is why protecting and increasing access to public
lands is so important. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been
instrumental in increasing access to our public lands, growing
opportunities for outdoor recreation and protecting wildlife. There is
great potential for the program to be used to improve the management of
our existing Federal lands.

In fact, there is much improvement to be made to make Federal land
management more effective. My amendment will express the sense of the
Congress that the Land and Water Conservation Fund plays an important
role in improving wildlife habitat and increasing outdoor recreation
opportunities on Federal as well as State land. It will also convey
that reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund should be a
priority for Congress and should include improvements in the structure
of the program to more effectively manage existing Federal land.

Montana's outdoor heritage is of great importance to our State's
economy and thousands of Montanans' way of life. We must work to
improve programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund so it
will work better for Montanans and all Americans.

Supporting and improving the Land and Water Conservation Fund will
help us ensure this legacy is continued for future generations.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source