Reps. Huffman, Neguse Introduce Bill to Fund Critical Climate Restoration and Resiliency Initiatives

January 26, 2023

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressmen Jared Huffman and Joe Neguse reintroduced the Land Restoration and Resiliency Act, a bill to establish a Community Resilience and Restoration Fund at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This bill would provide grants to support community investments in restoration and resiliency projects to protect against the threat of climate change, including responding to the threats posed by extreme weather and disasters. The bill is cosponsored by Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01).

The Land Restoration and Resiliency Act received strong support over the course of the last Congress, passing the House twice—most recently as part of the House-passed Fiscal Year 2023 (FY '23) NDAA and in late July as part of Rep. Neguse’s Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act.

“We’re in a crisis – all across the country, climate change is driving extreme weather events and putting our communities at risk. My region has borne the brunt of disaster after disaster – from wildfires to earthquakes and droughts to relentless storms,” said Rep. Huffman. “Our bill makes the unique investments to restore our public lands and increase climate resiliency all at once—investments that will foster innovative, nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, make our communities safer, and protect our treasured lands for future generations.”

“It is imperative that we take urgent action against the climate crisis – safeguarding the future of our global environment for the generations to come,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “The Land Restoration and Resiliency Act helps to support new and restorative programs that will protect communities facing climate-induced disasters, and protect our nation’s biodiversity.”

“Last year, Democrats made historic progress when we passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the single biggest investment in climate action, into law. This bill will keep that momentum going,” said Rep. Grijalva. “The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has already proven to be a valuable partner in helping communities restore coastlines, grasslands, and other public lands in a way that makes them more resilient against the worst impacts of climate change. I’m grateful to Rep. Neguse for his leadership on this bill and in making our public lands an invaluable piece of the climate solution.”

“Communities across the West and the nation are facing the impacts of climate change in the form of historic drought, devastating wildfires, and extreme weather events,” said Rep. Stansbury. “We have a responsibility to bring our communities the tools they need to care for our lands and waters during this time of unprecedented change. That’s why I’m proud to sign onto Rep. Neguse’s Land Restoration and Resiliency Act as an original co-sponsor to establish a grant program that supports meaningful community investments in the protection and resilience of our public lands.

Read the bill text HERE. 

 

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