"LOS ANGELES — California Sen. Alex Padilla on Monday proposed a vast expansion of government protection for public lands and rivers that he said would fight climate change and safeguard natural treasures for generations to come.

His proposal would combine three bills already passed in the House and looks to take advantage of the Democratic tilt in Washington that is more welcoming to environmental protection, compared to the Republican Trump administration. Overall, it would expand protections for over 1 million acres of California public lands.

Speaking outdoors in the Los Angeles suburb of Irwindale, with the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop, the Democratic senator said his proposal would shelter open spaces and “keep them as wild and untouched as possible for future generations to enjoy.”"

The Associated Press had the story May 3, 2021. [2]