Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) applauded a new bill to provide $10 billion to create a Civilian Climate Corps. The legislation is based on the framework outlined in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, announced on March 31.
The announcement comes just days ahead of the 88th Anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps, a national service program that employed millions of Americans during the Great Depression to complete conservation projects across the country.
“Eighty-eight years ago, President Roosevelt tapped into the power of national service to address the unemployment crisis caused by the Great Depression and restore our environment when he created the Civilian Conservation Corps,” said Senator Coons. “Now, as our country faces the COVID-19 pandemic and the threats posed by climate change, we have another opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously. The Civilian Climate Corps Act will provide opportunities for people across the country to help the most vulnerable communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.”
“Investing in the outdoors provides opportunities for people, businesses and the environment to thrive. This important measure would create new jobs, help address challenges like catastrophic wildfires and other impacts of a changing climate and ensure the outdoor economy remains a key part of our country’s economic recovery,” said OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug. “It could also help the nation fully realize the tremendous potential of the ‘Great American Outdoors Act,’ which is still in the process of being implemented. We commend the leadership and foresight of U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse and Abigail Spanberger and Senators Chris Coons, Martin Heinrich, and Ben Ray Lujan.”
For more commentary from the Senators directly, go here.
The full text of the bill is available here. A summary of the bill is available here.
Photo courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
