On November 19th, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner (CO) that will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and invest in restoring national parks across the country. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, S. 1081, passed through the committee by a vote of 13-7. Sen. Gardner is the lead original cosponsor of S. 1081 along with bill sponsor Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). The committee also passed Sen. Gardner’s Restore Our Parks Act, S. 500, to address the $12 billion park maintenance backlog and to establish the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund, by a vote of 15-5.
Moving these pieces of legislation through committee is a major accomplishment for Sen. Gardner and various sportsmen, outdoor recreation, and conservation groups from across the country gave praise to the Senator and the Committee for moving these important pieces of legislation.
“We at BHA thank Sen. Gardner for his leadership in introducing and advancing legislation that dedicates $900 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said John Gale, Conservation Director of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “Currently, more than 435,000 acres of state trust lands and 18,000 acres of public lands in Colorado are inaccessible to hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists. LWCF dollars could help enhance sportsmen’s access in Colorado by acquiring lands and collaborating with local stakeholders.”
"The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation applauds the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus for voting to advance S. 1081 to provide permanent and dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)," said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. “Permanently reauthorized earlier this year as part of S.47, LWCF also includes the Making Public Lands Public initiative that requires a portion of LWCF funds be set aside specifically for the purpose of increasing public access for America's sportsmen and women, which makes this program critically important to receive dedicated funding.”
“Today’s Senate Committee vote brings the LWCF Permanent Funding Act one step closer to becoming a reality,” said Kristine Stratton, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) President and CEO. “NRPA thanks Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO) Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) for taking action and introducing a bill to fully fund LWCF, an important piece of funding our member agencies rely on to help provide access to parks and recreational opportunities in communities across the country. We urge members of Congress to join the House and Senate Committees in support of this bill because everyone deserves a great park.”
“With bipartisan support for LWCF and the Restore Our Parks Act from members like Senator Gardner we are one giant leap closer to providing more wildlife habitat, access and suitable infrastructure for recreation on our shared public lands and waters. Whether you ski, snowmobile, dive, ATV, hike, bike, motorcycle, fish, camp or hunt, these bills will open up new and better opportunities to enjoy safe and scenic outdoor experiences today, and for generations to come,” said Jessica Wahl, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Executive Director.
“From Rocky Mountain to Mesa Verde, America’s national parks are falling into disrepair due to billions of dollars in needed repairs and upkeep, while at the same time facing constant threats of development from within their borders,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association. “Our parks need and deserve dedicated funding to address their growing maintenance needs and to help protect additional lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Thanks to congressional champions like Senator Gardner and strong bipartisan support, these two important park bills are moving forward to ensure our parks have the resources they need, that will benefit park visitors and communities across the country.”