Colorado Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced legislation this week to provide $60 billion for the conservation and restoration of forests and watersheds, with a goal of encouraging federal agencies to work with local entities to fund projects.

“For years, Congress has failed to invest in the outdoors – undermining our forests and watersheds, which sustain our economy and western way of life,” Bennet said in a statement. “The Outdoor Restoration Force Act begins to change that with an injection of funding to create new, good paying jobs in the outdoors, while reducing the risk of wildfire and other natural disasters.”

The bill would provide $20 billion for a grant program to support a variety of projects located in places with significant public land or water. An advisory council would direct the funding. An additional $40 billion would go to federal lands agencies, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This money would fund projects to remediate or reclaim abandoned mines, eradicate invasive species and improve wildlife habitat,.

The bill has won backers including include the National Audubon Society, the Western Landowners Alliance, and Russell George, a Republican former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives.

“In a year where we are experiencing major drought and the three largest wildfires in state history, there’s no better time to invest in Colorado’s forests, watersheds, and landscapes,” said Dan Gibbs, executive director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources.