LOS ANGELES (AP) – California U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla is proposing a vast expansion of government protection for public lands and rivers that he says will fight climate change and safeguard natural treasures. The Democrat appointed to the seat vacated in January by Vice President Kamala Harris says the proposal would shelter open spaces and “keep them as wild and untouched as possible for future generations.” Padilla also says the plan would make the outdoors more accessible to congested urban areas. His proposal would combine provisions from three bills passed in the House and would expand protections for over 1 million acres of California public lands.