October 2, 2018
Critical Conservation Program Marching Towards Reauthorization and Dedicated Funding
Media Statement by Larry Selzer, President and CEO, The Conservation Fund
“The Conservation Fund applauds today’s Senate Committee action that advanced the permanent reauthorization and full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This momentous action, along with recent action by the House Committee, could not come soon enough, as LWCF expired on September 30. LWCF is a strongly backed, bipartisan program that requires immediate Congressional action to reinstate the longstanding commitment to all Americans and continue this essential funding for 21st century America.
“As originally designed by Congress in 1965, LWCF reinvests offshore energy revenues in conservation and recreation access projects—LWCF funds support nine different programs for federal, state and local projects. Every day Americans explore, enjoy, relax in, recreate on, and at the very least pass by places that have been protected and enhanced by the Land and Water Conservation Fund—from iconic landscapes like the Grand Canyon and the Smoky Mountains, to the community park down the street and the private farms and forests we nurture.
“LWCF is a tremendously successful program that provides unmatched economic, environmental, social, cultural and historical value to Americans. LWCF is also an important tool for reducing the threat of wildfire, supporting local economies, and improving the management of our public lands.
“However we cannot lose sight of the critical waterways, wild habitats, historic sites and working lands that are under pressure and threatened by conversion. Our natural infrastructure supports the basic and essential everyday needs of all Americans, like clean water and air, and it provides billions of dollars in economic revenue to the states through outdoor recreation, tourism and other uses.
“When we lose a stream, a forest, a prairie or even a farm, we lose an entire ecosystem and the valuable natural resources it supports.
“It is imperative that Congress listen to the requests of veterans, children, sportsmen and women, businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, mayors, forest companies, family health organizations and a vast majority of Americas. Permanently reauthorize and fully fund the bipartisan LWCF as it was intended. It is an investment that can and must continue to benefit America’s communities, the environment and the economy for generations to come.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect eight million acres of land.
“The Conservation Fund applauds today’s Senate Committee action that advanced the permanent reauthorization and full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This momentous action, along with recent action by the House Committee, could not come soon enough, as LWCF expired on September 30. LWCF is a strongly backed, bipartisan program that requires immediate Congressional action to reinstate the longstanding commitment to all Americans and continue this essential funding for 21st century America.
“As originally designed by Congress in 1965, LWCF reinvests offshore energy revenues in conservation and recreation access projects—LWCF funds support nine different programs for federal, state and local projects. Every day Americans explore, enjoy, relax in, recreate on, and at the very least pass by places that have been protected and enhanced by the Land and Water Conservation Fund—from iconic landscapes like the Grand Canyon and the Smoky Mountains, to the community park down the street and the private farms and forests we nurture.
“LWCF is a tremendously successful program that provides unmatched economic, environmental, social, cultural and historical value to Americans. LWCF is also an important tool for reducing the threat of wildfire, supporting local economies, and improving the management of our public lands.
“However we cannot lose sight of the critical waterways, wild habitats, historic sites and working lands that are under pressure and threatened by conversion. Our natural infrastructure supports the basic and essential everyday needs of all Americans, like clean water and air, and it provides billions of dollars in economic revenue to the states through outdoor recreation, tourism and other uses.
“When we lose a stream, a forest, a prairie or even a farm, we lose an entire ecosystem and the valuable natural resources it supports.
“It is imperative that Congress listen to the requests of veterans, children, sportsmen and women, businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, mayors, forest companies, family health organizations and a vast majority of Americas. Permanently reauthorize and fully fund the bipartisan LWCF as it was intended. It is an investment that can and must continue to benefit America’s communities, the environment and the economy for generations to come.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect eight million acres of land.
Contact
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
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