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 »

$2.24m gift will preserve NH lake

By PAULA TRACY

New Hampshire Union Leader

ERROL -- New Hampshire’s wildest and one of its larger water bodies, Lake Umbagog, got a unique gift far from its shores.

In Washington, D.C. yesterday, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen D-NH announced that $2.24 million has been awarded to the Androscoggin Headwaters land preservation project at the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, here.

Umbagog, which straddles the New Hampshire and Maine border has a primarily undeveloped shoreline and upland. Its untouched beauty is because of a long, federal effort over the 30 years to protect it and the headwaters.

The seven-mile long lake, which is more than 7,000 acres in size, is also shallow and offers a unique habitat. It is home to bald eagles, moose, mink, loons, and many migratory birds.

Umbagog is also host to remote campsites, operated by the state, with many enjoying canoeing, kayaking the Magalloway River and fishing in its dark waters.

“This funding will help ensure that these pristine natural lands can be enjoyed by New Englanders for generations to come,” Shaheen said. “With millions of people living within a day’s drive of New Hampshire’s North Country forests, the importance of these lands to the tourism sector of our economy cannot be overstated.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase almost 3,000 acres of additional land that will become part of the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge.

The land had been eyed for development by its owners. This money comes as part of the Department of Interior’s fiscal year 2011 spending plan.

The Androscoggin Headwaters is currently the largest unprotected property remaining in New Hampshire.

This five-phase land conservation project is intended to conserve 31,300 acres of remote lands in the headwaters of the Androscoggin River. It is a collaborative effort of local, state, federal and non-governmental partners to protect critical habitat and productive timberland in the Northern Forest.

Once protected, the Androscoggin Headwaters property will be part of a 75,000 acre conservation area in New Hampshire and Maine.