Significant Funding for LWCF Clears Senate Following Advocacy from Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, worked to secure $425 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), including funding for the Forest Legacy Program and for the Stateside grants.  LWCF is one of the most important federal programs for assisting in the preservation of outdoor recreational resources across the country. The funding was included in the fiscal year 2019 Appropriations Minibus that recently passed the Senate by an overwhelming majority of 83 to 15 and will now be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“LWCF is our country’s most important and successful conservation and outdoor recreation program,” said Senator Collins. “LWCF has created outdoor recreation opportunities in every state and 98 percent of counties across the country.  This important investment will strengthen local conservation and recreation efforts in our state, helping to ensure both current and future generations can enjoy the beauty of Maine’s natural resources.”

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1965 to ensure access to outdoor spaces for present and future generations, and to provide money to federal agencies and state and local governments to purchase land, water, and wetlands for the benefit of all Americans. The LWCF has supported more than 42,000 state and local projects in communities across the country. 

Earlier this month, Senators Collins and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders requesting a permanent reauthorization of LWCF before its expiration on September 30, 2018.