SUPPORT- AB 1183 (Ramos) Desert Conservation Program

July 13, 2021

The Honorable James Ramos
California State Assembly
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 1183 (Ramos) Desert Conservation Program – SUPPORT

Dear Assemblyman Ramos:

This letter is to indicate Inland Action’s support for AB 1183, legislation that would establish the California Desert Conservation Program at the Wildlife Conservation Board.  Inland Action is a non-profit organization of business and community leaders dedicated to the economic and community betterment of the Southern California region.

As you are aware, existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve public lands in the State of California. However, there is no state conservancy program or program charged with the protection of the California portions of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.

Our diverse public lands support a range of environmental, economic, and quality-of-life benefits.  Travel and tourism continue to be one of our most vital engines for economic growth. Long-term, our public lands will not be able to sustain the increased demand for use from the public without additional investments and prudent policies such as AB 1183.

By establishing the California Desert Conservation Program, the Wildlife Conservation Board, through this program, would be able to make grants available to State and local public agencies, nonprofits, and tribal organizations for the purpose of protecting, conserving, and restoring the region’s natural, archaeological, historical, and physical resources.

For the reasons listed above, Inland Action supports AB 1183.

Sincerely,

Deborah Barmack

President