While my friends, family and I are enjoying this summer fishing, boating and camping, Congress is busy in Washington debating spending cuts and negotiating the budget.
No doubt a difficult task, but among all the rhetoric and tempers, common-sense programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund get caught in the middle — and that impacts all of us and our quality of life here in northern Colorado.
The LWCF is a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and our cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans. Created by Congress in 1965, the LWCF is funded by oil and gas royalties, and does not use a dime of taxpayer money.
National parks like the Grand Canyon and our own Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as community parks, trails, public outdoor facilities, recreation centers and ball fields in every one of our 50 states were set aside for Americans to enjoy thanks to federal funds from the LWCF.
Here in Northern Colorado, the LWCF enhances the beauty and public access of open spaces like Bittersweet Park, the Poudre River Trail and Boyd Lake.
The LWCF also improves access for sportsmen and recreationists on federal, state, local and private lands and waters — that’s welcome news to any sportsman who enjoys fishing or any kind of bird or big game hunting. Your prized hunting spot was likely funded in part by the LWCF.
Unfortunately, the LWCF is currently under attack in the House Interior Appropriations bill, which includes an 80 percent cut in LWCF funding.
The bill poses great danger to LWCF land conservation projects across the country, and could cripple the economies generated by outdoor recreation.
The truth is that the LWCF is a promise that Congress and the oil and gas community made to the American public many years ago. They should uphold that promise and not raid the fund to pay for other programs that have no connection to the original intent.
As a parent, sportsman and hunter who frequently visits these places that have enjoyed LWCF funding, I urge Congressman Cory Gardner to support funding the LWCF when he votes on the Interior Appropriations bill.
The LWCF has helped fund numerous projects spanning the 4th Congressional District, including Bonny Lake State Park located in Rep. Cory Gardner’s hometown.
I sincerely hope that Gardner — as a supporter of sportsmen and of the oil and gas industry — stands with us and recognizes the importance of the LWCF.
Jim Bowes is a parent and avid sportsman living in northern Colorado.
No doubt a difficult task, but among all the rhetoric and tempers, common-sense programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund get caught in the middle — and that impacts all of us and our quality of life here in northern Colorado.
The LWCF is a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and our cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans. Created by Congress in 1965, the LWCF is funded by oil and gas royalties, and does not use a dime of taxpayer money.
National parks like the Grand Canyon and our own Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as community parks, trails, public outdoor facilities, recreation centers and ball fields in every one of our 50 states were set aside for Americans to enjoy thanks to federal funds from the LWCF.
Here in Northern Colorado, the LWCF enhances the beauty and public access of open spaces like Bittersweet Park, the Poudre River Trail and Boyd Lake.
The LWCF also improves access for sportsmen and recreationists on federal, state, local and private lands and waters — that’s welcome news to any sportsman who enjoys fishing or any kind of bird or big game hunting. Your prized hunting spot was likely funded in part by the LWCF.
Unfortunately, the LWCF is currently under attack in the House Interior Appropriations bill, which includes an 80 percent cut in LWCF funding.
The bill poses great danger to LWCF land conservation projects across the country, and could cripple the economies generated by outdoor recreation.
The truth is that the LWCF is a promise that Congress and the oil and gas community made to the American public many years ago. They should uphold that promise and not raid the fund to pay for other programs that have no connection to the original intent.
As a parent, sportsman and hunter who frequently visits these places that have enjoyed LWCF funding, I urge Congressman Cory Gardner to support funding the LWCF when he votes on the Interior Appropriations bill.
The LWCF has helped fund numerous projects spanning the 4th Congressional District, including Bonny Lake State Park located in Rep. Cory Gardner’s hometown.
I sincerely hope that Gardner — as a supporter of sportsmen and of the oil and gas industry — stands with us and recognizes the importance of the LWCF.
Jim Bowes is a parent and avid sportsman living in northern Colorado.