Manchin Applauds Signage Of Public Lands Act | The Beckley Register-Herald

On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined President Donald Trump and others at the White House for the signing of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law.

In a release, Manchin applauded the act and the bipartisan effort which led to its passage.

“I was proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle at the White House today as President Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law. 

This legislation is an important reminder that, when we work in a bipartisan way, the American people come out on top. This bipartisan package permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund which has had immeasurable impacts on West Virginia. It also designates the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area and increases the funding cap for the Wheeling National Heritage Area.

"In our state, we have been blessed with beautiful lands and our love of the outdoors is core to who we are as West Virginians," Manchin was quoted in the release. "I am proud this legislation will expand access and protect these lands for future generations to enjoy.”

Among the key components to the new law is the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

According to the release, that fund allows states and federal entities to preserve and conserve lands without using taxpayer dollars.

Since 1965, West Virginia has seen more than $240 million from the fund used in projects such as the acquisitions of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, New River Gorge National River and Dolly Sods along with more than 500 projects and improvements in 54 of the state's 55 counties.

The recently signed law also officially designates the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area which is made up of the state's eastern mountain counties from Greenbrier and Nicholas counties northward.

Much like the state's National Coal Heritage Area, the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area will now be able to receive grant funding from the National Park Service for heritage projects in that area.

In addition to efforts in the Mountain State, nationwide the new law will add 621 miles of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, add more than 2,600 miles to the National Trail System, designates more than 700,000 acres as new recreation and conservation lands, increases the acreage of national parks by more than 40,000 acres and provides direction to all federal departments and agencies to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting opportunities on federal lands.

On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined President Donald Trump and others at the White House for the signing of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law.

In a release, Manchin applauded the act and the bipartisan effort which led to its passage.

“I was proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle at the White House today as President Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law. 

This legislation is an important reminder that, when we work in a bipartisan way, the American people come out on top. This bipartisan package permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund which has had immeasurable impacts on West Virginia. It also designates the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area and increases the funding cap for the Wheeling National Heritage Area.

"In our state, we have been blessed with beautiful lands and our love of the outdoors is core to who we are as West Virginians," Manchin was quoted in the release. "I am proud this legislation will expand access and protect these lands for future generations to enjoy."

Among the key components to the new law is the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

According to the release, that fund allows states and federal entities to preserve and conserve lands without using taxpayer dollars.

Since 1965, West Virginia has seen more than $240 million from the fund used in projects such as the acquisitions of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, New River Gorge National River and Dolly Sods along with more than 500 projects and improvements in 54 of the state's 55 counties.

The recently signed law also officially designates the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area which is made up of the state's eastern mountain counties from Greenbrier and Nicholas counties northward.

Much like the state's National Coal Heritage Area, the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area will now be able to receive grant funding from the National Park Service for heritage projects in that area.

In addition to efforts in the Mountain State, nationwide the new law will add 621 miles of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, add more than 2,600 miles to the National Trail System, designates more than 700,000 acres as new recreation and conservation lands, increases the acreage of national parks by more than 40,000 acres and provides direction to all federal departments and agencies to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting opportunities on federal lands.

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