LWCF Campaign for funding in 2011
Funding Status of LWCF in Fiscal Year 2011
Our efforts for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2011 proved to be invaluable in developing a visible and bipartisan campaign for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
On July 30th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act of
2009, H.R. 3534 which included full and dedicated funding for LWCF. In support of a similar bill in the Senate, 25 members co-sponsored S. 2747 the Land and Water Conservation Fund Authorization Act of 2009, as a show of support for LWCF and to encourage Senate leaders to include full and dedicated funding for LWCF in a larger legislative package. In a display of leadership, Senator Maria Cantwell joined her colleagues in co-sponsoring S. 2747.
In an amazing push for full and dedicated funding at the close of the 111th Congress, the LWCF Coalition was able to gather 95 Congressional signatures for a “Dear Colleague Letter” addressed to House Leadership last session. Thank you Representatives Jay Inslee and Jim McDermott for signing the letter for Washington State!
Since the 112th Congress was sworn in we have entered a new political climate in which we are working to remind and educate our Congressional Delegation of the responsibility we have of safeguarding our future for generations to come.
On February 19th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their continuing resolution (CR) proposal for the remainder of FY 2011 which included a reduction of $393 million for LWCF bringing funding to its lowest level in the program’s history. In addition, an amendment was introduced by Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY-R) that proposed a virtual elimination of LWCF funding. In a final vote of 213 to 216 the amendment failed. Help us thank the members of our delegation who cast critical votes to save LWCF: Representatives Jay Inslee [D, WA-1], Rick Larsen [D, WA-2], Norm Dick [D, WA-6], Jim McDermott [D, WA-7], Dave Reichert [R, WA-8], Adam Smith [D, WA-9]. Though the final bill failed in the Senate, the statement was made.
Since then, Congress passed it's final spending bill for fiscal year 2011 which includes $301 million for LWCF (see bill text). Funding allocations:
- $53M for Forest Legacy
- $22M for Bureau of Land Management Acquisitions
- $55M for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisitions
- $95M for National Park Service Acquisitions (which includes the State Assistance Program, likely at $40M)
- $33M for U.S. Forest Service Acquisitions
- $12.136M for Department of Interior property appraisals
- $31M for the LWCF portion of Section 6 Cooperative Endangered Species Program
Unfortunately there are no federal projects in Washington State that will receive funding at this level. Therefore, it is more critical than ever to thank our champions for their hard work and encourage all members of our delegation to ensure substantial funding for LWCF in fiscal year 2012.
Check out our current campaign for 2012 and call or email your members of Congress to give a voice to your favorite project.
For additional information on the Land and Water Conservation Fund please visit the LWCF Coalition website.
