If you hike, hunt or fish, your Washington playground just got cooler.
A national, bipartisan environmental package that expands protections for public lands and supports outdoor projects across Washington was signed into law Tuesday. The John Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, co-led by Sen. Maria Cantwell includes specific wins for Washington public lands.
The act reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has supported projects at popular sites like Olympic National Park, Lake Chelan, Gas Works Park, and Riverside State Park.
It also protects the iconic Methow Valley from destructive mining, improves irrigation and salmon recovery in the Yakima River Basin, and recognizes our shared heritage by creating designated heritage areas.
“Every member of Washington’s congressional delegation had a hand in its successful passage, but we are especially thankful to Sen. Cantwell for her key leadership over several years to get this done,” Gov. Jay Inslee said.
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.