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Kaptur reintroduces legislation to create jobs through Civilian Conservation Corps

April 27, 2017

Will create jobs and protect our environmental treasures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after a week of celebration and advocacy of science, our environment and conservation efforts, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Act, a bill that would combat unemployment and preserve the environment by putting unemployed and underemployed citizens to work on critical environmental projects.

"After Earth Day, the March for Science and now Arbor Day on Friday – there is no better time to rededicate ourselves to creating jobs, investing in the American worker and protecting our nation's environmental treasures," Kaptur said. "This is not some pie in the sky economic theory. These are public investments proven to stimulate job growth and impart skills in the workforce. If the Administration is serious about creating jobs, this bill will put people to work now."

"Through federal efforts such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other conservation and restoration investments, Americans are connecting the dots between clean water, clean land, clean air and thriving regional economies," Kaptur continued.

About the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act:

  • The CCC Act was inspired by a successful economic initiative called the Civilian Conservation Corps that was first established by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 as part of the New Deal.
  • The initiative provided more than three million young men with jobs and skills training and inspired a widespread appreciation of the natural environment in American culture.
  • No less than 80 percent of the CCC Act's funds will be utilized for job creation and the Act will give preference to unemployed veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Projects would include reforestation; forest fire control; flood and soil erosion prevention; eradication of invasive species and flora disease; blight removal of dead plant material and abandoned structures; construction and maintenance of paths, trails and fire lanes; and any other environmental work deemed necessary.
  • Work will be conducted on Federal and State land but may be extended to private lands for public benefit, for example in the prevention of forest fires.
  • This legislation was introduced with 11 original co-sponsors: Reps. Grijalva (AZ-03), Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Norton (DC-AL), Schakowsky (IL-09), Hastings (FL-20), Evans (PA-02), Conyers (MI-13), Perlmutter (CO-07) and McNerney (CA-09).