Obama asks lawmakers to 'do even more' on conservation

President Obama on Thursday urged Congress to "do even more" on conservation projects after signing legislation protecting a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan's coastline. "There are currently dozens of conservation proposals before Congress — many supported by Democrats and Republicans — that would protect important lands across the country and help grow our economy," Obama said in a statement. The Sleeping Bear Dunes conservation law was the first public lands designation by Congress in more than five years — the longest lawmakers had gone without making a wilderness designation in nearly 50 years. While urging lawmakers to take up additional conservation measures, Obama pledged to "continue to do my part to protect our federal lands for future generations to enjoy." But the president's efforts are expected to accelerate this year, with the return of counselor John Podesta, who served as chief of staff to former President Clinton, to the White House...more