THE HILL • February 25, 2022
Few issues draw broad support across the American electorate these days. But one stands out as both popular among voters and ripe for action by Congress: enhancing the protection of our country’s lands and rivers. Regional polling shows strong support for such conservation. A majority believe that investing in conservation is important, regardless of their political affiliation or the state of the economy. That, along with broad bipartisan support, has motivated lawmakers to seek to protect treasured public areas with several bills now before Congress. For instance, a bill to designate Maine’s York River as wild and scenic passed the House with bipartisan support and has been marked up in the Senate. Led by the entire Maine congressional delegation and supported by local stakeholders, the legislation would help sustain vital natural habitat, commercial fishing, drinking water supplies and numerous archaeological sites within the York River watershed.