Want an update on Land and Water Conservation Fund?

If you are a regular reader of the blog, then you know the ups-and-downs of the recent Congress and a fund that boaters cherish (that's the "Land and Water Conservation Fund"). So where do things stand?


First, the bad news: A few notable (obstinate) nay-sayers are holding up the reauthorization. It's a tremendous program. It's really too bad that a handful of lawmakers can use charged (inaccurate) rhetoric to confuse their colleagues.


Okay, onto more positive information:

• Momentum and visibility for LWCF have never been higher, but we face an unprecedented moment of both challenge and opportunity as we fight to restore the program’s lapsed authorization. 

• Pressure is mounting in the Senate to find a way forward for LWCF, to defuse the current stalemate where our champions Sens. Burr and Ayotte continue to hold other legislation until LWCF is included in a must-pass legislative package.  Senators on both sides of the aisle must aid in this effort by pressing their Leadership to act on LWCF reauthorization and funding NOW. (We are fortunate two have two champions in Senators Murray and Cantwell).

• Here's our coalition's connecting points:

• A vast majority of Americans want LWCF to be permanently reauthorized and fully funded
• Congress, not the Administration, controls how LWCF funds are spent.   All projects submitted by federal agencies must be approved by Congress, so Chairman Bishop’s allegations are utterly baseless and insulting to his colleagues. 
• The Appropriations Committee adjusts the funding allocation each year to address the needs of our local communities and the changing needs of our country - the same flexibility Congress has had for the past 50 years.  For the past decade, it has split funding nearly 50-50 between federal projects and LWCF’s various state grant programs.
• Committee Members should oppose any efforts to make changes to how LWCF works now that restrict Congress’ important role or that would limit funding to protect treasured places in their districts, whether by harming our National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges and National Recreation Areas by restricting federal projects or by diverting LWCF money to non-conservation purposes.

Want get involved with this campaign? Drop Peter an email (Peter@Nmta.net)