Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) secured an appointment to the House Committee on Natural Resources, an important committee with direct oversight of federal agencies and programs governing conservation and outdoor recreational opportunities.

“Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, we have an opportunity to take long overdue action to not only undo the damage to our environment and public lands from the past four years, but also to strengthen and protect these national treasures for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “It’s important that Bay Staters have a voice in the development of legislation and federal actions that govern these critical issues. This appointment will guarantee that, and I look forward to representing the Third District and our Commonwealth on the influential House Committee on Natural Resources.”

Trahan’s appointment to the Natural Resources Committee will prove especially valuable to the Commonwealth because of its jurisdiction over National Parks, national wildlife refuges, and ocean protection. During Trahan’s time in Congress, the Committee has played key roles in the development of landmark pieces of legislation, including the Great American Outdoors Act, the Moving Forward Act, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, and more.

A report by the Outdoor Industry Association demonstrates the value that Trahan’s appointment will have to the residents of the Third District and the Commonwealth as a whole. On average, Third District residents spend nearly $1.4 billion on outdoor recreation activities annually, and the District is home to at least 36 outdoor companies. Moreover, 59 percent of Massachusetts residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, with nearly a third of all trips taking place within the Commonwealth. The report also indicates that Massachusetts’ outdoor recreation economy generates $16.2 billion in annual consumer spending and employs approximately 120,000 jobs statewide.

The Committee has jurisdiction over a number of federally owned or supported assets in the Third District alone, including Minute Man National Historical Park, Lowell National Historical Park, Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers, Nashua Wild and Scenic River, Essex National Heritage Area, Assabet National Wildlife Refuge, Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Although her other committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is an exclusive appointment, Trahan secured a rare waiver from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to join the Natural Resources Committee. Much like her representation on Energy and Commerce, Trahan will be the only member of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to serve on the Natural Resources Committee during the 117^th Congress, guaranteeing the Bay State a seat at the table on the important issues that fall within its jurisdiction.

Trahan’s subcommittees will be announced at a later date.

###