April 26th, 2022 – The House of Representatives passed the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act.

The Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act, led in the House of Representatives by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, was passed on the House floor this past Tuesday, April 26th. While it still needs to be passed in the Senate, the Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act will ensure further protection of forested watersheds for clean, safe drinking water and recreation opportunities in the densely populated Highlands region that spans 3.5 million acres across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

A critical tool in the Land and Water Conservation Fund repertoire of state and local grants, the Highlands Conservation Act has helped to protect more than 14,000 acres since it’s first being enacted in 2004. Administered by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the projects made successful by this Act are prioritized based on important stewardship goals such as clean water, recreational and cultural resources, forests, wildlife habitat, and agriculture.

Watch the House of Representatives HCRA Passage: You can find a recording of the House of Representatives floor consideration and passage of the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act here: User Clip: Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act | C-SPAN.org

What’s Next?

The Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act now has to pass in the Senate. The Senate vote date is still TBD.