Several NASPD board members met with multiple Senators, Representatives, and senior policy staff in support of Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Below are a few important LWCF updates the board members learned during their D.C. visit. Please share the information with your membership.
- The House Interior Appropriations budget for LWCF provides $275 million total for LWCF programs – $125 million below the current level but $211 million above the President’s request. It includes $79 million for Stateside LWCF; expect $5 million for ORLP. There is no redirection of GOMESA except for a mention for using up to 3% for administrative fees.
- Senate Energy Bill (S. 1460), which includes the same LWCF reauthorization language as last year – “the 40% Suite” – is on the Senate Calendar and may be brought up at any time. This is considered a positive considering the challenges the majority is having getting the votes in order to bring their ACA Repeal or a Budget deal to the floor, this bill could very likely come to the floor. T’ considered a positive and could attract strong bi-partisan votes. Remember that basically the same bill passed the Senate last year by a vote of 85-12. Some expect this to be approved before the Senate leaves for their August Recess, which is now not expected to begin until August 11 (two weeks later than originally scheduled).
- Most LWCF advocates are pleased the LWCF is not reduced further, as was proposed Administration’s budget.
- The House Interior released their report this week and it confirms that, of the $79 million in overall State Assistance funding, that $5 million is reserved for the Outdoors Recreation Legacy Program, ORLP. The Committee also called upon the NPS to speed up the application/review process and allows up to 3% of ORLP funding to go directly to administration of the program.
- It is very possible given the considerable debate on the budget and other issues, that there may end up being a Continuing Resolution being put in place for at least the start of the FY18 fiscal year. If so, this would put LWCF in a good position to ultimately get last year’s numbers, or $110 million overall for the Stateside Assistance Program.
- The NRPA is hosting a public webinar next Tuesday, July 25, 2:00 PM EDT on GOMESA and LWCF. It’s free and all are welcome to register and participate. Guest Speakers will include Tom Farndon (PDF) with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Joel Lynch with National Park Service. Learn more and register for the webinar.
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