Senators sponsor bill to extend conservation fund

A bipartisan trio of senators introduced a bill Tuesday to indefinitely reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The fund, overseen by the Interior Department, pays to establish and maintain parks, wildlife habitat, recreational facilities and similar places around the country.

{mosads}It would expire this year without a reauthorization.

“LWCF is a critical tool that has helped boost Colorado’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said of the bill he introduced with Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

“It’s time to permanently reauthorize LWCF so that we can continue to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s outdoor spaces for future generations,” said Ayotte.

The fund uses revenue from offshore oil and natural gas drilling. But Congress have never funded it to its fully authorized amount of $900 million per year.

Although the senate bill would ensure that it exists for years to come, it would not provide it more funding.