Saving the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Why our economy depends on it
As a lifelong hunter, fisherman and hiker, I know that a great day outdoors calls for good land and water — and something to chase and catch when you get there. That’s why I’ve joined Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) in building support on both sides of the aisle for Congress to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Together, we’ve garnered 160 signatures on separate Democratic and Republican letters to House leadership urging immediate action to keep the 50-year-old fund up and running.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund expired on September 30th because it was not included in the Continuing Resolution — which Republican Leadership rushed to the floor as a last-ditch attempt to prevent a government shutdown of their own making, concocted by the party’s far right wing in opposition to women’s health programs. We need to stop holding the economy hostage and get back to the business of governing. The American people want Congress to put partisan politics aside and support programs that build the economy and support good paying jobs.
This fund doesn’t cost American taxpayers a single penny.
Unlike many other programs, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is already paid for. Funds are primarily derived from oil and gas receipts paid to the federal government by energy companies that extract publicly owned resources from the Outer Continental Shelf.
Every state in the country will feel the damaging consequences of Congress’s failure to reauthorize this program for our nation’s natural, historical and cultural landmarks. Furthermore, jobs and economic development in our districts will suffer. Studies have found that every dollar invested in land acquisition or improvement generates a $4 return for communities, and the broader outdoor recreation and conservation economy is responsible for more than $600 billion in consumer spending every year.
In my own 8th District of Minnesota, the Superior and Chippewa National Forests draw hunters, fishermen and outdoor recreation lovers by the thousands — and they spend millions of dollars supporting our hotels, restaurants and local businesses. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) attracts another quarter of a million visitors each year, many of whom return again and again. And the same goes for our beautiful state parks.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a win for us
— and for generations to come.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is our nation’s premier program to help local communities protect the places they love. It has conserved iconic landscapes in every state and is responsible for more than 40,000 state and local outdoor recreation projects such as playgrounds, parks, refuges and baseball fields.
With such widespread impact, there is strong bipartisan support behind the Land and Water Conservation Fund and 88% of Americans want Congress to preserve it. But with that being said, unfortunately our only choice was between the severely-lacking Continuing Resolution and shutting down the government. We simply cannot afford another shutdown costing our economy $24 billion dollars, so I voted in favor of the Continuing Resolution — but rest assured; I will continue to fight tooth and nail to reauthorize these programs in the coming weeks and months. I hope you join me.
