President Obama signed the Ominibus Public Land Management Act into law today shortly after 3 PM Eastern. The bill protects three million acres of land, and 1000 miles of rivers throughout the US. Prior to signing, Obama said:
"It is fitting that we meet on a day like this. Winter's hardships are slowly giving way to spring, and our thoughts naturally tend to turn to the outdoors. We emerge from the shelter offered by home and work, and we look around and we're reminded that the most valuable things in this life are those things that we already possess. As Americans, we possess few blessings greater than the vast and varied landscapes that stretch the breadth of our continent…
This legislation guarantees that we will not take our forests, rivers, oceans, national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas for granted; but rather we will set them aside and guard their sanctity for everyone to share. That's something all Americans can support."
Click here to read a full transcript of the President's comments prior to signing the bill.
(This photo was taken by a friend who was at the signing ceremony).