News item: 069
Action Alert: LWCF Needs Your Help!
This is an absolutely critical time for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and if we don't act soon,
we won't be able to save America's most important conservation program. Congress let the LWCF expire on September 30
and we need your help to ensure it is reauthorized intact. We need the program to be reauthorized in its current form
and fully funded for it to continue protecting vital parks, trails, wildlife and recreation projects that are counting
on LWCF funding. As we commemorate LWCF's half-century track record of success, please reach out to your member of Congress
and urge them to speak up for funding and reauthorization of America's most important conservation and recreation program.
Please make the following points in your letter:
- LWCF is paid for with non-taxpayer dollars. Congress made a commitment to the American public that a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling would go to outdoor recreation and conservation, as an offset for the depletion of resources that belong to us all.
- This is a critical time for conservation as LWCF's authorizing legislation has expired, threatening conservation and recreation projects that are critical to American communities and our nation's outdoor recreation economy.
- In NY, Sterling Forest and the Santanoni Preserve were purchased using LWCF monies.
- Locally, sections of the Taconic Crest Trail and the Normans Kill Farm were acquired through LWCF funding.
- Identify yourself as an ADK member.
Urge your Senator to sign onto S.338 and S.890
- S.338 is a bipartisan bill that would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
- S.890 is a bill that would permanently reauthorize and provide full, dedicated and permanent funding of $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund as authorized by Congress, and finally fulfill the promise that was made to the American people almost 50 years ago
- Senator Schumer has co-sponsored S.890, but Senator Gillibrand has not. So your letter to Senator Gillibrand is important. Also, please send a thank you letter to Senator Schumer.
- H.R.1814 is a companion to S. 338, a bipartisan bill that would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
- Our local representatives, Chris Gibson, Paul Tonko and Elise Stefanik are co- sponsors. Thank them for their support