Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Interior Bill that Provides Millions for Protection of California Resources
June 23, 2000

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Interior appropriations bill that includes $10 million for Lake Tahoe restoration projects and $9 million for continued implementation of the Quincy Library Group pilot program.

“California’s forests and lakes are threatened by environmental degradation and natural disasters,” Senator Feinstein said. “This funding represents the first step in restoring the Lake Tahoe basin and the continued effort protect the Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe forests from a devastating forest fire. I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee approved these requests for California.”

In additition, the Appropriations Committtee also approved $4.2 million for a visitor’s center at the site Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp, and language giving preference to workers in Tulare, Kern and Fresno counties who were displaced by the establishment of the Sequoia National Monument.

“I am truly concerned about the 105 sawmill employees who will be harmed by the designation of the Sequoia forest as a National Monument,” Senator Feinstein continued. “Consequently, I am heartened that the committee approved language giving dislocated workers job preference.”

Senator Feinstein requested this funding and these provisions as part of her role as a member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.