ENGEL ANNOUNCES FINAL PASSAGE OF HIGHLANDS STEWARDSHIP LEGISLATION; November 17, 2004

Wednesday November 17, 2004

ENGEL ANNOUNCES FINAL PASSAGE OF HIGHLANDS STEWARDSHIP LEGISLATION

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives completed final passage of the Highlands Stewardship Act (H.R. 1964) and cleared the way for the bill to be signed by the President. Rep. Engel, an original sponsor of this important legislation, represents substantial parts of the Highlands in Rockland County, New York.

“This is a historic day for the people of New York and New Jersey who have been fighting for years to protect the Highlands,” said Rep. Engel, who is strong supporter of the environment and received a 100 % rating from the League of Conservation Voters. “The Highlands are a true national treasure that deserve federal protection to prevent destruction and urban sprawl. Once wilderness areas are gone, they are gone forever. I am confident the President will sign this bi-partisan legislation and make it the law of the land.”

The Highlands region represents more than 1.5 million acres that stretch from Pennsylvania to New York to Connecticut and provide a green space for the nearly 25 million Americans who live within an hour's drive of the region. More than 11 million people rely on Highlands’ drinking water resources - which serve at least half of New York City’s water supply. The Torne Valley and the Ramapo Mountains, which run north from New Jersey through western Rockland County, would be protected by the Highlands Stewardship Act.

The Highlands Stewardship Act originally passed the House in November 2003. But when the Senate unanimously passed a slightly amended version of the bill last week, the Constitution required that it come before the House of Representatives once again as the President can only sign legislation passed in identical forms by both Congressional houses.

The Highland Stewardship Act conserves the area’s natural resources, heritage, history, and economy by working to contain urban sprawl and designating the region as a stewardship area. Stewardship areas are offered a multitude of benefits from the federal government to protect the natural resources there.



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