The Wilderness Society Celebrates Exclusion of Dirty Permitting Deal in Text of Must-Pass Legislation
Washington, DC
Mason Cummings, TWS
Environmental provisions and protections for Nevada communities included in text of NDAA prioritize community voices and defend public lands
The base text of the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act released late Tuesday night included two major wins for communities and public lands.
The base text excluded the dirty permitting rider that would change the federal energy project permitting process in order to fast-track drilling, mining and pipeline projects nationwide that threaten communities’ well-being, including the mandating and expediting of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
The base text also included a significant win for public lands and tribes in Nevada, detailing a significant compromise to allow for an expansion of Fallon Naval Air Station, while also including important safeguards for cultural and natural resources, as well as numerous other conservation and tribal provisions. The Wilderness Society worked closely with the Fallon Shoshone Paiute Tribe, the Nevada Congressional delegation, Congressional committees, and other stakeholders to reach this historic agreement which strengthens conservation and public lands. These wins are a testament to the undying persistence of communities across the country fighting for a clean and just future grounded and led in community and Tribal consultation.
We call on Congress to advance this NDAA, the base text of which is a result of appeals from multiple Members of Congress, environmental justice leaders, Appalachian and other community groups, tribes, Native organizers and conservation and climate organizations.
The following statement is from Lydia Weiss, Government Relations Director at The Wilderness Society.
“Congress was right to reject the permitting bill from the NDAA and to include language to advance protections and community say for tribes and lands in Nevada.” said Lydia Weiss, Government Relations Director at The Wilderness Society. “Community voices were heard and listened to. We hope the incoming Congress has the same good instincts.”
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For more information, contact Tony Iallonardo at newsmedia@tws.org
