Sen. Coons deserves credit for trying to save wildlife

On March 2, U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, voiced his support for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) during hearings about the federal budget.

We know that these are difficult times for our budget, but Sen. Coons understands that investing in wildlife protection, recreation, and open space makes sense and pays economic dividends to the people of Delaware, especially during tough economic times.

LWCF is arguably our nation's most successful land protection program. Since its inception in 1965, LWCF has directed a small fraction of federal offshore oil and gas leasing royalties -- not taxpayer dollars -- towards the purchase of our most cherished lands in national parks, refuges, and forests while also providing grants for state and local parks.

In Delaware, LWCF dollars have protected places like Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge as well as over 70 state and local parks.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that each year over 395,000 people participate in hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching in Delaware contributing $299 million to the state economy.

Some in Congress would choose to strip LWCF's funding in spite of the fact that it has a reliable and logical revenue stream.

I applaud Sen. Coons for his support of this valuable program that has proven to be a wise investment for the people of Delaware.

Janet Manchester, Friends of Bombay Hook, Smyrna