Salud Ortiz Carbajal: “I thank Representative DeGette for yielding and for her leadership on this very important legislation. I am honored to…”

“I thank Representative DeGette for yielding and for her leadership on this very important legislation. I am honored to represent the central coast of California, one of the most beautiful districts in the Nation. Places like the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument contain some of the most stunning, unique, and diverse ecosystems found anywhere in North America. Today, I am pleased to support H.R. 2546, the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. This bill would preserve the ecological beauty and recreational activities available to communities in my district and beyond as well as for future generations. This legislation includes my bill, H.R. 2199, the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Grijalva and Representative DeGette and local stakeholders to ensure that California's central coast was included in this measure. Title III of this legislation would designate and place into conservation nearly 250,000 acres as wilderness within the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness areas, one of the highest forms of protections available. {time} 1245 This is a major step to preserve and protect our community's future for future generations, allows for responsible forest management and firefighting activities.…”