Trust For Public Land Praises Senate Approval of L.W.C.F.

The Trust for Public Land today praised the Senate vote to permanently renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the federal government’s leading funding source for land protection across the nation. The program uses revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling to ensure public access to outdoor recreation and protect America’s most important historic sites and natural resource areas.

“Today’s vote is a landmark day in the history of American conservation and a victory for our public lands,” said Will Rogers, President of The Trust for Public Land. “The Senate vote to permanently reauthorize LWCF is a major step toward making sure America’s most successful conservation program is forever protected.”

The permanent reauthorization was part of an energy bill approved by the Senate on a vote of 85-12, which included support from both Democrats and Republicans.

“The bipartisan support for LWCF in the Senate reflects just how strong support is across the nation for this program. Millions of Americans have benefited from LWCF over the past 50 years, and we need to ensure that it remains in place for our children and grandchildren,” Rogers said. “The Trust for Public Land is grateful to LWCF’s Senate champions, led by Senator Maria Cantwell, for this important achievement.”

Today’s vote does not ensure the future of the program, because the House of Representatives has yet to act on a permanent reauthorization measure.

“We hope that the House will follow the Senate and forever protect LWCF,” Rogers said.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live within a one-half mile walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year.