1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The reconciliation bill currently under consideration threatens the protection of our treasured public lands and national parks. The proposal to allow mining activities near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park's watershed jeopardizes the pristine nature of these areas and the multi-million dollar recreational economy they sustain. Furthermore, increasing oil and gas leasing on public lands puts parks like Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Teton, and Dinosaur National Monument at risk of degradation. While the removal of provisions to transfer public lands to local entities is a positive step, this bill still poses a grave threat to our national parks and public lands. I urge you to reject any measures that enable commercial exploitation or undermine environmental protections for these irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures that belong to all Americans. We have an obligation to safeguard these sacred spaces for current and future generations to enjoy. Please stand firm in defending our public lands against short-sighted exploitation for private interests.