Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined Randy Newberg, host of The Sportsman Channel's “Fresh Tracks with Randy Newberg,” to discuss the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to sportsmen.
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) served as a host of the event. Co-sponsored by the Bull Moose Sportsmen's Alliance, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Trout Unlimited and National Wildlife Federation, the event showcased several projects that have benefitted from the use of Land and Water Conservation Funds for public access to hunting and fishing.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund uses revenues from oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to conserve important natural resources and support hunting, fishing and the $646 billion outdoor recreation economy.
“Over its 50 year history, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped fund over 40,000 local conservation and outdoor recreation projects by re-investing a small portion of revenue from offshore oil and gas development in waters owned by the American people,” said Secretary Jewell. “These local projects – parks, ball fields, hunting and fishing access points and other open spaces – play an important role in preserving and protecting natural areas for future generations of Americans to enjoy. Congress needs to fulfill the promise made to the American people by enacting full and permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”
“LWCF has been a great tool for securing places to hunt and fish for sportsmen,” said Newberg. “In my back yard of Bozeman, Montana, the Gallatin National Forest has had over 200,000 acres of access acquired or improved by LWCF. All who hunt and fish can probably find a similar LWCF story in their back yard.”
“For 50 years the Land and Water Conservation Fund has improved access to public lands while preserving some of our nation's most treasured landscapes and creating jobs,” said Senator Tester. “Congress must provide greater support for the Fund to ensure future generations of sportsmen and women enjoy the same hunting and fishing opportunities that we do today.”
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a truly unique federal program that is proven to boost local economies, increase tourism, and protect our nation's precious natural resources, yet does not rely on taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Wyden. “On its 50th anniversary, it's time for Congress to reaffirm its commitment to this valuable program and push for full, consistent funding to preserve special places in Oregon and across America.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund needs to be reauthorized before September of 2015.
The fund was authorized by Congress to receive $900 million annually in OCS revenues but down through the years it has only received once. It has been estimated that over the last five decades over $17 billion dollars has been spent elsewhere.
