Amata Votes for Legislation to Aid National Parks
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted for the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, H.R. 6510, which she cosponsored. This legislation provides funding to reduce maintenance backlogs and support restorative efforts at National Parks and wildlife refuges. The bill, introduced by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) with substantial bipartisan backing, was passed Thursday by the Natural Resources Committee.
"The National Park Service has a special mission to preserve our nation's system of National Parks and Monuments, including our own beautiful National Park of American Samoa," said Aumua Amata. "Our National Park includes mountainous terrain, tropical rainforest, bird and wildlife habitat, shoreline, coral reefs and more, all of which requires careful monitoring for ongoing health and balance, and restoration after storms like Gita. The country has an enduring interest in protecting these designated places for their unique beauty, historic value or other natural contributions, such as rare flora and fauna."
Specifically, the bill provides much-needed funding for projects at National Parks, as well as lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Education. These efforts could include clearing or cleaning up storm-damaged trails, shoring up deteriorating trails, improving structures on Park lands, restoring aging monuments and memorials, or updating water, sewer or electrical systems that serve recreational areas.
"Thank you to the staff of our National Park of American Samoa for their expertise and efforts," continued Congresswoman Amata. "The maintenance backlog at Parks and wildlife areas throughout the country has been a real need, and I'm pleased to see this important step on behalf of our nation's natural treasures. Congratulations to Chairman Bishop on advancing this priority."
Amata Votes for Land and Water Conservation Fund
Also Thursday, Congresswoman Amata voted in support of reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund (H.R. 502), which supports public lands, parks and recreation areas, and seeks to encourage outdoor activities, including fishing. This bill also passed the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.
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