Still time for a happy ending to this conservation success story

Success stories in natural resources conservation in America can be few and far between. So when members of Congress can ensure the future of a federal funding program key to safeguarding important fish and wildlife habitat and sustaining publicly accessible outdoor opportunities, prompt and decisive action is vital.  

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has a 50-year legacy of conserving intact wildlife habitat, valuable fisheries and the ability of citizens to hike, camp, fish, hunt and otherwise recreate on public lands. Established in 1964 through a bipartisan act of Congress, the LWCF uses royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf to conserve natural resources and expand public access. 

{mosads}The numbers are impressive. Over its 50-year history, the LWCF has enabled conservation of 5 million acres of public lands, with a staggering 98 percent of U.S. counties benefitting from LWCF monies that match state investments and locally driven priorities to enhance recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing close to home. 

Yet despite its popularity and record of success, the future of the program is far from secure. Without direct action by Congress, the program will expire on Sept. 30. Time is running out.    

The LWCF is the best tool available to provide access for hunters, anglers and other recreationists, as well as habitat conservation to make sure game and non-game species thrive. The LWCF also has made possible success stories like the following: 

In Montana, 8,200 acres of prime deer, elk, moose and trout habitat along Tenderfoot Creek were added to existing national forest lands thanks to the LWCF. This conserves the integrity of the landscape as undeveloped forest lands, grasslands and public space enjoyed by hunters, anglers and myriad other recreationists. Seventy percent of fishing access sites in Montana is funded by the LWCF. This means better access for boaters and anglers. 

In Oregon, 10,000-plus acres that comprised the Lower Deschutes River Ranch have been added to publicly accessible lands along the Deschutes River. This move, finalized only last month, conserves critical steelhead habitat and unparalleled bighorn sheep hunting grounds. The impacts of this acquisition will ripple across the West.   

The LWCF represents an investment in America’s outdoors economy, as well. U.S. sportsmen comprise a powerful economic engine, annually contributing close to $90 billion to the nation’s economy and supporting 1.5 million jobs. The broader outdoor recreation and conservation economy, moreover, is responsible for more than $646 billion in consumer spending every year.

Without LWCF dollars, this sustainable and expanding economy will be placed in jeopardy. Failure to reauthorize and fully fund the LWCF also would torpedo future projects and diminish our ability to secure and enjoy irreplaceable American landscapes.  

In Willapa Bay, Washington, for example, plans are underway to use LWCF funds to acquire 1,500 acres adjacent to the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on one of the most important estuaries on the continent. This acquisition would increase public access to waterfowl hunting along the Pacific Flyway and to angling in one of Washington’s most popular Chinook salmon fisheries.  

And in Colorado, a project in the works would remove from development 12,000 acres of critical big game winter range and waterfowl habitat by leveraging LWCF funds. If it came to fruition, this would enhance public access and provide world-class hunting opportunities in the famed San Luis Valley – now and in the future.  

These success stories can’t be written without the LWCF. But the means to ensure the future of the program exists.  

In July, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced an energy bill with a provision permanently reauthorizing the LWCF. And at the start of 2015, Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) introduced an amendment that would accomplish that same goal.  

“Our nation’s scenic treasures should not be put into jeopardy on a yearly basis for a simple reauthorization,” said Burr at the time of the bill’s introduction.  

Sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists heartily agree. The LWCF enjoys bipartisan support, and it would be shame for this highly successful program to die on the vine. Congress should reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The future of public access and our hunting and fishing traditions depend on it.

Tawney is president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the sportsmen’s voice for America’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife.