U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) applauded U.S. Senate passage on Feb. 12 of a major public lands legislative package that would make permanent the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The Senate on Tuesday voted 92-8 to pass the Natural Resources Management Act, S.47, which sets forth provisions regarding various programs, projects, activities, and studies for the management and conservation of natural resources on federal lands, according to the congressional record summary, including for the LWCF.
“This victory was a long time in the making and it is the result of the steadfast efforts of many who care deeply about America’s natural treasures,” Sen. Burr said. “By making the Land and Water Conservation Fund a permanent program, we ensure that our country is always able to preserve our magnificent parks and outdoor spaces. Protecting this program is the right thing to do for our children, grandchildren, and countless generations so that they may come to enjoy the great American outdoors as we have.”
Sen. Burr on Jan. 31 led a bipartisan contingent in introducing the original bill, S. 302, to permanently reauthorize the LWCF. Sens. Daines and Gardner were among the original cosponsors of S. 302.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund may cost taxpayers nothing, but Congress’ failure to renew it would cost us all dearly,” said Sen. Burr in introducing S. 302 last month. “Without this program, every state in the country would lose out on valuable outdoor recreation projects, beautiful natural landscapes, and easy access to state and national parks.”
At that time, four months had passed since the LWCF expired and Burr said it was “long past time for Congress do the right thing by renewing America’s most successful conservation program.”
The newly Senate-approved S. 47 package contains 69 related bills, including S. 302.
Sen. Daines also commended the Senate’s action to permanently reauthorize the LWCF, as well as the bipartisan and bicameral Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, S. 60, which he cosponsored last month, among other provisions included in S. 47. The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act permanently withdraws approximately 30,000 acres of the Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin from mineral entry, protecting the area from development.
“Today’s vote is a watershed moment for conservation and public lands across Montana and our entire country,” Sen. Daines said on Tuesday referencing Senate action on S. 47. “From permanent reauthorization of LWCF to permanent protection of Paradise Valley, I’m very pleased we passed this important package today in the Senate. I urge the House to act quickly so that we can get it onto the President’s desk for his signature.”
Sen. Gardner, who this week said he’s been working for four years in the Senate to reauthorize the “crown jewel of conservation programs,” also commended passage of S. 47, which includes permanent funds for the LWCF.
“I have championed this program throughout my time in the Senate because of how important it is to all Coloradans who love our great outdoors,” Sen. Gardner said on Tuesday. “The program has a direct impact on public lands in Colorado and will be used to protect our state’s natural beauty for future generations.”
Sen. Gardner authored several Colorado-specific bills that were included in the final lands package. One such bill, the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act, S. 2166, would allow the U.S. Department of the Interior to use collected power revenues for funding endangered fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins. The bill would extend the authorization of the program through 2023.
“After working on many of these bills that will help Colorado, I’m excited we were finally able to get them across the finish line,” Sen. Gardner said. “Colorado’s great outdoors are a national treasure and I’ll always fight to protect our public lands for Coloradans to enjoy.”
The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 13 received S. 47 for consideration.