Reauthorization of Land and Water Conservation Fund

[Humptulips]

I'm asking for your take on this.

I received this e-mail,

Dear Friend,

Seventy days from now, the congressional authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will expire. Without a new authorization and a robust allocation of funds for this successful environmental program, Washington’s outdoor recreation industry and environmental conservation projects are at risk.

The LWCF was established in 1964 to maintain outdoor recreational opportunities for rural and urban populations nationwide. Since then, the fund has invested $637 million for projects in Washington state, which include protection of places like the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a beautiful part of our state that I worked hard to protect and expand recently.

Not only is the LWCF crucial for protecting the beautiful Pacific Northwest, it is also important to our economy. Outdoor recreation supports more than 200,000 jobs in our state and contributes $20 billion a year to Washington’s economy.

The LWCF uses no taxpayer dollars, and is funded through oil and gas receipts paid by energy companies. Unfortunately, Congress has constantly diverted LWCF money for other uses. That’s why I am a cosponsor of a bill that permanently reauthorizes the LWCF and why I signed a letter with more than 150 of my colleagues urging its continued funding. Our beautiful state boasts some of our nation's most beautiful forests, mountains and waterways, and I will continue working to ensure their preservation for future generations.

I’d like to hear from you on this issue as well.

 


Should the Land and Water Conservation Fund be permanently reauthorized?
 

 [ ]Yes
 [ ]No
 [ ]Need more information

 

[Submit]

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 Sincerely,

 Suzan

 
Not knowing a lot about this I looked up what I could find. Here's the best link I could find http://www.doi.gov/lwcf/index.cfm
It shows an interactive map of all the projects the fund goes to. You can click on the projects to see what they are about but the description is less then satisfactory. I looked at three in WA that I know a little about. Right now it looks like if anything this is hurting sportsman's interests.
I'd be interested in hearing others thoughts on it especially those of you who know a little bit more about individual projects on their map.

[JLS]

Every sportsman should be supporting this.  Anyone that hunts across the Rocky Mountain west has very likely benefited from this to a great degree in some shape or form. 

Remember, the more access there is, the less hunter concentration there is and everyone benefits.

[Humptulips]

So tell me where the access is.  I know in Willlapa I have heard nothing good about the dike removals. Same with Nisqually. No personal experience though, just what I have been told.
Also know the buying out of inholders on the Quinault isn't helping Sportsmen and not too popular locally.
Where else is this a good thing?

[JLS]

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=263326&highlight=lwcf

http://www.rmef.org/Portals/0/Documents/15LWCF001_Report.pdf

http://rmefblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/rmef-calls-on-congress-to-reauthorize.html?spref=fb&m=1

http://www.lwcfcoalition.org/washington.html

https://www.wildliferecreation.org/our-campaigns/lwcf

http://wildliferecreation.org/50-years-of-lwcf-in-washington/

http://www.lwcfcoalition.org/idaho.html

http://www.lwcfcoalition.org/oregon.html

http://lwcfcoalition.org/files/Wyoming(2).pdf

[Humptulips]

Thank you, I wish it was easier to see what the individual projects were about bu that is very helpful.

[bearpaw]

Thank you, I wish it was easier to see what the individual projects were about bu that is very helpful.

Bruce, I was asked to speak about this at a meeting so I had to do some research. Here are some lists of projects that LWCF has funded.

Fish & Wildlife Habitat: http://wildliferecreation.org/fish-and-wildlife-habitat (links to five pages of projects)
Parks and Recreation Areas: http://wildliferecreation.org/outdoorrec (links to another five pages of projects)
Farmland Preservation: http://wildliferecreation.org/farmland (list of farmlands that have been kept from being developed)

The LWCF helps fund many types of projects that benefit wildlife and improve recreational access for all types of outdoor activities including hiking, bird watching, hunting, fishing, and the increased recreational opportunities directly benefit local and state economies. The lists of projects is very broad and includes such things as urban parks, nature trails and wildlife viewing areas, conservation easements to keep critical elk and deer winter range from being developed, preserving farmlands, improving mountain trails, and developing better access to popular fishing areas.