#lwcf

One more step, trump’s approval, and this massive public lands bill will become law. Not a perfect piece of legislation, but one of the best things to happen in years.

I’ve been sorting through the bill for a week (or maybe two?) now, and will have a post highlighting some of the best parts that the media is not yet writing about.

Excerpt:

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed its first significant public lands conservation bill in years, designating more than one million acres of wilderness for environmental protection and permanently reauthorizing a federal program to pay for conservation measures.

The House passage of the bill, on a vote of 363-62, sends the measure, which was passed by the Senate this month, to the desk of President Trump. The vote Tuesday offered a rare moment of bipartisanship in a divided chamber and a rare victory for environmentalists at a time when the Trump administration is working aggressively to strip away protections on public lands and open them to mining and drilling.

Nonetheless, Mr. Trump was expected to sign the bill into law. But the one million acres of wilderness that would be protected by the bill stand in contrast to the administration’s plans to open up for drilling nine million acres of protected habitat for the sage grouse, two million acres of protected land in Utah, parts of the vast Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and most United States coastal waters.

I’m sure that the lapse of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that happened yesterday will be reversed, and that the LWCF will be reauthorized, permanently funded at its intended (and higher) levels, and its reauthorization will be tied together with another piece of legislation that is intended to address the maintenance backlog at our national parks. Leaders and significant senators and congressional representatives from both parties agree to all this. The reauthorization doesn’t seem to be hung up on political considerations, which is contrary from what happened in earlier years.

Excerpt:

Congress failed to reauthorize the fund for the second time in three years because key members of the House and Senate could not agree about how to pay for the program going forward. The fund's expiration casts an uncertain future on ongoing projects and prevents new oil and gas receipts from being used for conservation work until the program is reauthorized.

Since its inception in 1965, the program has protected millions of acres nationwide, including according to one analysis at least 491,000 acres between 2014 to 2017 alone. Federal agencies and state governments have used the conservation fund to do everything from building swimming pools and basketball courts in cities to expanding wildlife refuges and national parks like Acadia in Maine and Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Leaders in the Senate and House found themselves at loggerheads over whether to make funding for the program permanent. Although LWCF funding comes from the government's cut of oil and gas drilling on public lands, Congress needs to sign off on that spending every year. Some years, Congress failed to appropriate the full $900 million authorized for the program.

Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, wants to fix those spending lapses by making that $900 million in funding for LWCF mandatory every year. Her bill, which will be marked up in committee on Tuesday, has the support of Burr along with several GOP senators on the panel, including Steve Daines of Montana and Cory Gardner of Colorado. Last week, those senators took to the Senate floor to argue in favor of reupping the program.

Gov. Kay Ivey has announced grants totaling $2.6 million to improve outdoor recreational facilities in 12 Alabama communities.

The awards, made through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, range from overhauling a public boat landing to upgrading ball fields.

“Alabama’s parks, playgrounds and trails promote healthier lives and happier people,” Gov. Ivey said. “These projects will encourage people to enjoy Alabama’s outdoors, and they will help create memories that will last a lifetime. I commend local leaders for understanding that parks and playgrounds contribute so much to a community’s health and well-being.”

The LWCF program was created by Congress in 1965 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs manages the program in Alabama.

“Parks and playgrounds that are well-maintained and frequently used say so much about a community and its people,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner with Governor Ivey, the National Park Service and these local communities in making these projects a reality.”

Under the LWCF program, recipients are required to equally match the amount of the award with cash or in-kind commitments.

Grants and projects (listed geographically from north to south) awarded are:

Anderson ($8,000)- The Lauderdale County town will create an outdoor nature learning center at the Anderson Town Park where children will learn about insects, plants and aquatic life from a nearby stream.

Rogersville ($118,766) – Funds will be used to build four tennis courts and rehabilitate two existing courts at the town park.

Huntsville ($230,000) – The Huntsville-Madison County Marina and Port Authority will use funds to improve safety, security and access at Ditto Landing by dredging the harbor, installing new docks, refurbishing the boat ramp and improving bathrooms, lighting and the entrance.

Cullman ($350,000) – The city will provide an overhaul at Nesmith Park including constructing a splash pad, playground, basketball and pickleball (paddleball) courts, multi-use fields, walking trail and restrooms.

Springville ($175,000)- The city will renovate baseball and softball fields at Springville City Park including press boxes and concession stands and add parking.

Trussville ($175,000) -The project will include renovating existing baseball and softball fields at Masonic Park/Cahaba Creek Greenway and add outdoor exercise equipment.

Lincoln ($350,000)- The city will construct a park on a newly acquired 190-acre site. Development under the grant will include a playground, picnic areas, walking trail, restrooms, parking, signage and landscaping.

Demopolis ($247,675) – The city will upgrade two ballfields including lighting and batting cages at Demopolis Sports Plex.

Pike Road ($350,000) – The town will build two multi-purpose ballfields, parking and walks on a 5-acre site which is part of a larger tract donated to the town.

Clayton ($21,631) – The city will use funds to provide playground equipment at Peanut Butter Hill Park.

Geneva ($348,550) – The city plans to construct a soccer complex at C.D. Chapman Memorial Park. The project will include adding a parking lot, restrooms, sidewalks and installation of fencing and lighting.

Summerdale ($234,100) – The town will construct four lighted tennis courts and a parking area on a 2.5-acre city-owned site at the intersection of First and East Jefferson streets.

Under the LWCF program eligible applicants may include municipalities, county governments, state agencies and state authorities created by the Legislature. The program can fund projects involving playfields, trails, parks, playgrounds, picnic and camping areas, including related amenities and land acquisition which will be dedicated for recreation use.

President Signs Bill Permanently Reauthorizing Land and Water Conservation Fund

In an historic victory for public lands and close to home recreation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was permanently reauthorized on March 12, 2019 as part of a sweeping public lands package signed into law by the president. The legislation, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House (363-62) and the Senate (92-8) last month, was signed during a ceremony that…

The city of Haleyville has taken full advantage of a $150,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant awarded through ADECA in late 2016 to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for residents. That project, which included constructing a walking trail, installing playground equipment, and improving access and parking at the Haleyville Sports Complex, is complete.

“The Haleyville Sports Complex has been an excellent addition to our recreational program,” Mayor Ken Sunseri said. “The Land and Water Conservation grant enabled us to place a walking trail around the fields and provide a playground that is accessible and equipped for individuals with disabilities.”

Sunseri also talked about the positive economic impact the entire complex has had on the city, which located in Winston and Marion counties.

“Haleyville is now able to host tournaments for local teams and travel teams. The economic impact from the tournaments has paid expenses and made a profit for the city,” Sunseri said. “The tournaments have brought visitors from several different states and players from all over the state. Our local retail businesses, restaurants and service stations have been overwhelmed by the influx of customers which greatly assists our sales tax revenue.”

During a recent visit to northwest Alabama, ADECA’s Communications and External Affairs Unit stopped by the complex to see the finished product and take a few photos.

The LWCF program was created by Congress in 1964 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. ADECA manages the program in Alabama.

“We are thankful for the assistance provided by the ADECA for their assistance in providing a recreational opportunity and economic growth to the City of Haleyville,” Sunseri said.

El Fondo para la Conservación de las Tierras y Aguas podría acabarse

Una de las pocas causas apartidistas que todavía existen y apoya economías, ambiente y comunidades sanas, está en jaque. Durante cincuenta años, el Fondo para la Conservación de las Tierras y Aguas (LWCF por sus siglas en inglés), ha invertido en parques y espacios verdes. donde nuestros hijos juegan. En bosques y espacios abiertos en los que cazamos, hacemos actividades recreativas y obtenemos…