WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to reduce federal cost-sharing requirements for public lands projects performed by qualified youth or conservation corps from 25% to 10%.

“Current cost-sharing requirements prevent youth conservation corps from carrying out important public lands projects,” said Risch. “My bill reduces this barrier to better allow our youth corps to enhance our public lands while instilling life skills and job training to the future workforce.”

“As more work falls on the Youth Corps due to cuts at federal agencies, it has never been more important to support its critical work to enhance our public lands,” said Merkley. “The Corps’ conservation and wildfire resiliency efforts have built a pipeline for talented young people to develop skills that can grow into careers. Congress must take immediate action to pass this bipartisan bill that ensures our Youth Corps can expand opportunities for the next generation of leaders as stewards and protectors of our public lands.”

Risch and Merkley are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Cartherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) in introducing the legislation.

“This important adjustment to the Public Lands Corps Act will allow many more young Americans participate in service while protecting our communities from wildfire, improving our outdoor recreation facilities, and keeping our lands and waters healthy for generations. Conservation Corps help prepare thousands of young people each year for careers in resource management, forestry, and wildfire. We are grateful for Senator Risch’s leadership in this effort,” said Jeff Parker, CEO of Idaho Conservation Corps.