Congressman Blake Moore Introduces the Foundation for America’s Public Lands Reauthorization Act
WASHINGTON – Congressman Blake Moore introduced the bipartisan Foundation for America’s Public Lands Reauthorization Act to expand stakeholder input on federal land maintenance priorities and encourage private investment in maintaining federal lands. Congressman Moore was joined by Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) in introducing this legislation.
“The Foundation for America’s Public Lands Reauthorization Act allows the Bureau of Land Management’s partner foundation to leverage private giving to achieve the agency’s multiple-use mandate of providing Americans with recreational opportunities and capitalizing on the abundant resources the federal government manages," said Congressman Blake Moore. "By equipping the Foundation’s board with experts and expanding participation, the Foundation can build on its work to improve the visitor experiences while saving taxpayer dollars.”
“We are grateful to Representatives Moore and Neguse for introducing this important bill which will ensure the Foundation for America’s Public Lands is equipped to support the hardest working lands and waters in America, for the long term,” said I Ling Thompson, CEO of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands. “This reauthorization increases our ability to effectively work alongside the Bureau of Land Management, helping to keep our public lands accessible, healthy and thriving for the communities that depend on them. We look forward to working with Congressmen Moore, Neguse, and other Congressional champions, the Department of the Interior, and partners to advance this important legislation and build a stronger future for America’s public lands.”
The Foundation for America’s Public Lands Reauthorization Act:
- Increases board seats for the Foundation for America’s Public Lands to 18, by increasing to 12 after 180 days of enactment, 15 after two years, and 18 after four years.
- Requires one-third of its board members to have education or experience in natural, cultural, conservation, resource management, or law and research.
- Specifically, requiring at least: one member with experience in traditional energy production, one member with experience in renewable energy production, one member with experience in the mining industry, one member with ranching experience on BLM land, one representative from non-motorized recreation industry, one representative from the motorized recreation industry, and one representative from the hunting/fishing or recreation industry.
- Allows the foundation to accept in-kind donations to further the multiple-use mission of the BLM.
- Prohibits federal money from being used for litigation or lobbying.
- Reauthorizes the Foundation for America's Public Land for 5 years and authorizes $10 million annually
###