President Trump signed into law S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, a package of public lands bills that included Rep. Pete Aguilar’s Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bipartisan bill that he introduced with Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley). The bill authorizes a land exchange within the Santa Ana Wash, located between the cities of Redlands and Highland, which will expand conservation areas for endangered plants and animals while supporting local jobs.
“This bipartisan bill has been a longstanding priority for our community, and will support good-paying jobs in San Bernardino County while also increasing conservation areas and public access to trails and outdoor spaces. I’m grateful to Colonel Cook for his support of this legislation, and proud that we were able to get it signed into law,” said Rep. Aguilar.
“I’m thrilled to see that President Trump has signed S. 47 today. This bipartisan bill enacts into law the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, which will boost the economy, provide for increased water storage, and protect critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. I thank Congressman Aguilar for working with me to get this critical local legislation across the finish line,” said Rep. Cook.
Anthony Edwards, Property Manager for Robertson’s Ready Mix, a local company that has mining operations within the wash, shared, “It is with great appreciation that we provide our support for the Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act. We thank the congressman for his hard work in representing our region. This bill will help us to expand our business, offer more jobs in the region and provide recreational space for residents to enjoy.”
S. 47 passed both the House and the Senate last month with overwhelming bipartisan support. This is the third bill authored by Rep. Aguilar to be signed into law by President Trump. In 2018, his bill to help military service members secure jobs in the civilian workforce and his bill to connect underrepresented communities with cybersecurity scholarships were enacted.