The bipartisan legislation includes Klobuchar’s provisions to reroute and extend the North Country Scenic Trail, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and resolve a land management issue in Voyageurs National Park

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that several of her key priorities passed the Senate as part of the Natural Resources Management Act. The bipartisan legislation includes Klobuchar’s provisions to reroute and extend the North Country Scenic Trail, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and resolve a land management issue in Voyageurs National Park.

“Passing the Natural Resources Management Act in the Senate will give outdoor enthusiasts additional resources and tools for conservation efforts,” said Klobuchar. “I am pleased that after hard work, our bipartisan provisions to reroute and extend the North Country Scenic trail, reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and resolve a land management issue in Voyageurs National Park have passed the Senate.

Klobuchar successfully included the following provisions in the bipartisan lands package agreement:

  • North Country National Scenic Trail Adjustment: As one of the six designated National Scenic Trails, the North Country National Scenic Trail provides access to unique outdoor experiences and helps support the $373 billion outdoor recreational industry. This legislation would make much needed updates to the trail’s route and extend it to connect with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. These modifications are based on National Park Service (NPS) recommendations and will respond to public demand for access to outdoor recreation.
  • Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund: The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 to provide safeguards to our natural resources. The landmark law provides funds for federal land acquisition and federal assistance to states for outdoor recreation, acquisition of lands and waters, and development of recreation facilities through a dedicated fund. The fund accumulates a majority of its revenues from oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. The LWCF has helped fund thousands of projects and land acquisitions in Minnesota, including the “Plan B” approach to the School Trust Lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).  
  • Voyageurs National Park Adjustment: Voyageurs is a rugged and beautiful 218,000 acre National Park located along the Canadian border. The Park was created by Congress in 1975 to preserve the landscape and honor the legacy of the region. French travelers or “voyageurs”—the namesake of the Park—explored the region more than 250 years ago. The Park is loved by boaters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the country and around the world. In fact, last year alone, nearly 200,000 visitors made the trek to the relatively remote area. This legislation would formally transfer parcels of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service that were not transferred at the establishment of the Park.

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