Federal Act Recognizes "National Significance" Of Highlands Area

(17 July 2002—Washington, D.C.) Environmental Defense today praised the Highlands Stewardship Act, introduced by Rep. Ben Gilman (R-NY), that will protect the unique Highlands ecosystem by providing technical and financial assistance to Highlands states. If enacted the bill will allocate $25 million annually over a ten-year period to protect the Highlands region.
 
“The Highlands, which stretch from eastern Pennsylvania through New York and New Jersey into western Connecticut, provide 11 million people with clean drinking water. The scarcity of water in this region, which many people experienced first hand this spring, reaffirms the need to protect this land from rapid development,” said Jason Patrick, a scientist at Environmental Defense. “This legislation will nationally confirm what 14 million visitors each year, more than those to Grand Canyon National Park, have already discovered.”

The “national significance” of the Highlands, as noted by the USDA Forest Service Highlands Study in April of 2002, will be recognized in the Highlands Stewardship Act. This legislation will preserve that distinction by providing federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants through the Department of Agriculture to state, regional and local governments for conservation, education and restoration of the natural, cultural, historical and economical uses of the region.

“State and local governments can use this funding to protect the Highlands’ critical resources by adopting strategies to manage future growth, conserve forests and open space, safeguard drinking water and provide recreational opportunities while promoting economic growth in the region,” said Patrick. “One in twelve Americans live within two hours travel of the Highlands region, which is home to over 200 threatened or endangered species, including the bald eagle and osprey.”