Key Gallego Provisions Included in Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Mark-Up

WASHINGTON, DC- Following the mark-up of the House Natural Resources Committee's component of the reconciliation package, the committee advanced a budget with several provisions championed by Rep. Gallego, including funding for the restoration of wildlife corridors and the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps.

'The budget approved today by the Natural Resources Committee delivers on the committee's commitment to fund solutions to the climate crisis and protect the public lands we Arizonans rely on and enjoy,' said Rep. Ruben Gallego. 'At a time when many states in the West experience drought, devastating wildfires, and continuous extinctions of local species, I'm grateful the committee included several of provisions that I have supported-such as $500 million for near-term drought relief in western communities, $1 billion for wildfire prevention, and funding to create a Civilian Climate Corps. After four years of an administration that failed to invest in the solutions needed to confront climate change and environmental injustice, I'm proud we are now prioritizing these policies, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to ensure the full reconciliation package passes into law.'

Rep. Gallego Provisions included in the House Natural Resources Budget:

• Wildlife Corridors. This provision authorizes $10,000,000 in funding to map and restore wildlife corridors, including on state and Tribal lands.
• Oak Flat Withdrawal. This provision withdraws Oak Flat and the Grand Canyon from mining authorization, prohibiting mining activities in these federally protected areas. Oak Flat is a holy site of the Apache people in Arizona, who have spent decades organizing against federal government attempts to sell the area to mining interests.
• Civilian Climate Corps.This provision authorizes funding for the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tribal CCCs.
• Wildfire Prevention. This provision provides $900 million to the Bureau of Land Management to reduce wildfire risk as well as $100 million for Tribal wildfire prevention.
• Urban Parks. $100 million for NPS to enhance urban parks.
• Emergency Drought Relief. This provision provides $500 million to reclamation for near-term drought relief to western communities.

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Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.