Environmental Advocates Laud Land Conservation Deal
Suzanne Potter, Producer
Monday, July 27, 2015
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California environmental groups are cheering a bipartisan deal announced last Wednesday in the U.S. Senate to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The 50-year-old program diverts a small part of revenues from oil and gas projects to help agencies acquire land for recreation areas and maintain the country's natural beauty.
Megan Wargo, director of land protection with the Pacific Crest Trail Association, says the program has allowed her group to prevent private development along large stretches of the trail.
"We've seen about $25 million worth of investment from the program in the last 15 years,” she states. “And that investment has acquired about 17,000 acres along the trail. "
Since its inception in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has pumped $2 billion into California's scenic areas, including the Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Dume State Beach in Malibu.
Wargo says the program also funds dozens of local projects such as parks and ball fields. But time is running out to get the deal into a piece of legislation.
"So it is very possible that we may not get the program reauthorized before that Sept. 30th deadline if it doesn't get attached to some sort of bill that's moving forward for a vote," she says.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition says outdoor recreation, conservation and historic preservation activities contribute more than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy each year and support 9.4 million jobs.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…