Photo: Sen. Cantwell and Rep. DelBene speaking out on LWCF at a visit to North Creek Forest in Bothell.
Congressional recess isn’t play-time –
it’s go-time for the Coalition. The expiration of the Land & Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF) is fast-approaching on September 30th.
Thanks to your support and the hard work of all of the Coalition members, the Coalition
has been busy engaging with the state’s Congressional delegates and speaking
out on behalf of our nation’s best conservation and outdoor recreation program.
On August 3rd in Spokane, the
Coalition gathered community leaders for a roundtable with Congresswoman
McMorris-Rodgers and Senator Murray’s staff. A diverse group of local leaders in
business, conservation, recreation, and community health spoke of the
importance of reauthorizing LWCF.
On August 13th, Senator Murray and Representative DelBene called on Congress to reauthorize
LWCF while attending a tour of the North Creek Forest in Bothell – a recipient
of Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and matching LWCF funding. The Coalition also reached the two directly at a public lands event
hosted at REI, thanking each for their support.
A roundtable with Congressman Reichert is scheduled on September 15th
in Issaquah, where attendees from both sides of the Cascades will speak to the
wide-ranging benefits of LWCF and thank the Congressman for his leadership on
reauthorization. We are especially thankful for Representative Reichert’s lead
on a House “Dear Colleague” letter endorsing the bi-partisan energy bill that Senators
Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Cantwell passed in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources – the bill would permanently reauthorize LWCF at full funding with an
additional maintenance account for national parks.
The August recess is over, and Congress is back in session, with a mere 6 working days left before LWCF is set to expire. With the continued support and hard work of all of our members and of
the Washington congressional delegation, we hope that we can see LWCF preserved
to keep investing in our great outdoors.
Learn more about one of the Washington treasures LWCF could preserve this year.