- March 8, 2012 Coalition Applauds Senate for Dedicated Conservation Funding
- February 13, 2012 Coalition Applauds President's Continued Support for Conservation Funding
- December 17, 2011 Conservation, Business and Sportsmen Groups Applaud Congressional Efforts to Protect LWCF Funding in FY12 Budget
- July 25, 2011- New Bipartisan Poll Shows Overwhelming Support Across America for Land and Water Conservation Fund
- July 13, 2011- National Bipartisan Poll Memo
- May 31, 2011- Over One-Third of the U.S. House of Representatives Sign Letter Supporting Funding for LWCF
- April 14, 2011- Conrad Anchor Testimony Release
- December 20, 2010 - Senate Urged to Join House and Pass Bill with Full Funding for Conservation Program »
- August 3, 2010 - Senate Urged to Join House and Pass Bill with Full Funding for Conservation Program »
- July 15, 2010 - House Committee Passes Bill Securing Funding for Conservation and Recreation Program »
- April 16, 2010 - America's Great Outdoors Conference Focuses on Need for Vital Land, Recreation Funding »
- February 1, 2010 - Obama's Budget Includes Key Funding for Land & Water »
- November 6, 2009 - Senate Bill Would Fulfill Longstanding Promise for Conservation and Recreation Program »
- September 17 , 2009 - Coalition Supports Conservation at House Hearing »
Cut to conservation fund to be felt locally
Friday, April 15, 2011
No doubt, the nation's budget deficit needs to be addressed and conservation programs should bear a fair portion of the pain. However, Congress is considering conservation-program cuts that are disproportionate.
A glaring example is the House’s proposed 90 percent cut to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This would eliminate the grant program that has assisted states and communities in developing parks, trails and outdoor recreation facilities.
The state-assistance program sends a small portion of the funds appropriated by Congress to each state's natural-resources agency. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources then awards competitive 50 percent matching grants to local governments for parkland acquisition and development projects.
The fund does not receive revenue from taxes. As nonrenewable natural resources such as oil and gas are extracted from coastal waters, a percentage of the royalties are set aside to protect stateside land and water resources.
This makes both environmental and economic sense. State and community parks provide recreation for millions of people every day. Besides the health and environmental benefits, parks and recreation amenities also help drive economic development.
The state assistance program invests dollars in struggling urban centers and rural communities. Ohioans highly value their parks, trails and recreation facilities.
As drastic budget cuts are considered, I hope the state-assistance program is measured not only by its cost, but by the value it delivers.
MARK A. YOUNG
Federal legislative chairman
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Worthington
No doubt, the nation's budget deficit needs to be addressed and conservation programs should bear a fair portion of the pain. However, Congress is considering conservation-program cuts that are disproportionate.
A glaring example is the House’s proposed 90 percent cut to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This would eliminate the grant program that has assisted states and communities in developing parks, trails and outdoor recreation facilities.
The state-assistance program sends a small portion of the funds appropriated by Congress to each state's natural-resources agency. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources then awards competitive 50 percent matching grants to local governments for parkland acquisition and development projects.
The fund does not receive revenue from taxes. As nonrenewable natural resources such as oil and gas are extracted from coastal waters, a percentage of the royalties are set aside to protect stateside land and water resources.
This makes both environmental and economic sense. State and community parks provide recreation for millions of people every day. Besides the health and environmental benefits, parks and recreation amenities also help drive economic development.
The state assistance program invests dollars in struggling urban centers and rural communities. Ohioans highly value their parks, trails and recreation facilities.
As drastic budget cuts are considered, I hope the state-assistance program is measured not only by its cost, but by the value it delivers.
MARK A. YOUNG
Federal legislative chairman
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Worthington