GOLDEN, Colo. (June 19, 2019) – The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) may finally see the funding intended for it if HR 3195, which passed through the House Natural Resources Committee earlier today, keeps moving forward to become law. The bipartisan bill, introduced last week by Congressman Jeff Van Drew (D-N.J.), would permanently fund LWCF at $900 million per year, remedying the routine failure of Congress to appropriate adequate funding for the conservation measure.
Since its inception in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been an indispensable tool to protect public open spaces such as parks, trails, forests, and cultural sites – and making them accessible to the public. In March, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) celebrated alongside the 74% of Americans who support LWCF when the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (Dingell Act) was signed into law, permanently reauthorizing LWCF and ensuring that America’s most successful conservation program will continue to protect access and open spaces for future generations.
The Dingell Act, however, provided no assurance for future funding of LWCF. Despite Congress’ original stipulation when LWCF was first passed in 1964 to use $900 million per year of revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing to fund LWCF, most years have seen Congress divert more than 50% of that money to other uses. On May 22, the House Appropriations Committee approved $523 million for LWCF for fiscal year 2020, more than $100 million over the current amount – soundly rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2020 that nearly eliminates LWCF funding. While CDTC is grateful that our House members see the value in expanding funding for our public lands, that figure is a far cry from the $900 million annually Congress originally intended for LWCF.
“We appreciate the valiant effort of the House to substantially increase funding for LWCF this year,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of CDTC. “However, anything less than full funding of LWCF shortchanges the American public from beneficial outdoor experiences. It also holds back our nation’s lucrative outdoor recreation economy, directly fueled by Americans participating in recreation or just enjoying time outside.”
The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) runs for 3,100 miles along the Continental Divide through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. While it was designated by Congress as a National Scenic Trail in 1978, it remains incomplete due to a lack of public land access in several areas along the Trail. Without the funding that LWCF provides for conservation, it is unlikely that the CDT will ever be completed.
“One of our most important goals at CDTC is completing the Continental Divide Trail. LWCF grants are the sole source of funding to do so,” said Martinez. “Finishing the trail will not only be a gift for hikers who come from all over the world to experience the Continental Divide, but for rural economies and local businesses that depend on CDT users for their livelihoods. Fully funding LWCF is one of the smartest investments we can make and we urge Congress to make full funding a top priority.”
In New Mexico, the CDT is forced to follow along roads in several areas where there is no public land for it to pass through – most notably along a 50+ mile section near Grants. LWCF funding was used to purchase approximately 5,000 acres of private land in this area in 2016, and the trail’s completion in this area will result not only in its relocation off of the road, but the opening of an area of prime elk habitat to hunters. New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM-1) was one of the original cosponsors of HR 3159 and voted in favor of its passage through the House Natural Resources Committee today; Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall are also vocal supporters of full funding for LWCF and have cosponsored a companion bill in the Senate.
“CDTC will continue to work diligently until permanent funding for the full amount of $900 million becomes a reality,” said Martinez. “We are excited to see the House Natural Resource Committee’s passage today of HR 3195, which does just that. Now that permanent reauthorization of LWCF is the law of the land, we are cautiously optimistic that full funding for LWCF may soon become a reality as well.”
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About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
