USGS to grant states $43M for outdoor developments through Land, Water Conservation Fund

July 11, 2014
Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell joined Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price to announce that $43.38 million will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to all 50 States, the Territories, and the District of Columbia for outdoor recreation and conservation projects.


FORT WORTH, TX, July 11, 2014 -- On Tuesday, July 8, Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell joined Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, co-chair of the bipartisan coalition of Mayors for Parks, to announce that $43.38 million will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 States, the Territories, and the District of Columbia for state-identified outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations, and to provide money to federal, state and local governments to purchase land, water and wetlands for the benefit of all Americans. The primary source of revenue for the Fund is from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The funds enable state and local governments to establish everything from baseball fields to community green spaces; provide public access to rivers, lakes and other water resources; expand the interpretation of historic and cultural sites; and conserve natural landscapes for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment.

The Secretary's visit to Fort Worth's Gateway Park was part of a weeklong series of events across the country by Administration officials to highlight the LWCF's successes on its 50th anniversary. President Obama has called for full, permanent funding in his proposed budget, recognizing the Fund as one of the nation's most effective tools for creating and protecting urban parks and open spaces for kids to play and learn.

Jewell cited Gateway Park in Fort Worth as a prime example of how the LWCF can improve the quality of life for local residents. The State of Texas has leveraged funding through the program to make Gateway Park a prime destination for recreation, with equestrian, hiking and biking trails; soccer fields; a canoe and kayak launch; and a fishing pier. The projects are part of $179 million in state and local assistance grants made to Texas since 1964.

Only once in the past 50 years has Congress appropriated LWCF funding at the full authorized level of $900 million, and the program is set to expire without action from Congress. President Obama's budget request includes a legislative proposal to establish dedicated mandatory funding for LWCF programs, with full funding at $900 million beginning in 2015.

Jewell emphasized that LWCF grants boost local economies and support jobs in the outdoor recreation and tourism industries. A recent analysis of the Fund found that every $1 invested in land acquisition generated a $4 return on the investment for communities. Since the inception of the LWCF, over $4 billion has been made available to state and local governments, and over 40,000 projects have been funded in every state throughout the nation. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/lwcf.

###

Sponsored Recommendations

WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track

Automated Fresh Water Treatment

March 15, 2024
SCADA, Automation and Control for Efficient and Compliant Operations

Digital Transformation Enables Smart Water

March 15, 2024
During this webinar we will discuss factors driving the transformation to digital water, water industry trends, followed by a summary of solutions (products & services) available...

Smart Water Solutions: Transforming the Water Universe

March 15, 2024
Water is our most valuable resource, and efficient and effective water and wastewater handling is crucial for municipalities. As industry experts, you face a number of challenges...