U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) applauded an agreement last week that would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Essentially, the bill would ensure the LWCF will be able to fully realize its promise of conserving parks, creating open spaces, and providing wildlife habitat for the benefit of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.
“For years, I have been fighting for LWCF and its promise to conserve America’s scenic treasures for future generations,” Burr said. “This is dollar-for-dollar the best conservation program our nation has – it does not use tax payer money or add to our debt, but it does have a huge impact on maintaining North Carolina’s reputation as one of the most scenic and unique states in the country. I hope my colleagues will take up this effort and ensure that LWCF will be permanently reauthorized, without fear that it will be put into jeopardy on a yearly basis.”
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the committee’s Ranking Member announced the deal last week as part of a wide-ranging energy bill.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a crucial tool that has helped preserve dozens of high-priority landscapes across Colorado,” Bennet added. “From building city parks in Denver to conserving parcels of land high in the San Juan Mountains to providing access to our sportsmen, LWCF has helped boost Colorado’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy. We’re glad to see Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell included permanent reauthorization of LWCF in their comprehensive energy bill, which we’ve been fighting for. We look forward to helping them move this proposal forward.”
The LWCF is unique in that it is not funded by tax revenues. Instead, it assumes a small portion of the billions of dollars in annual oil and gas royalties gained from exploration on federally owned land and water.