Critical Public Lands Program Still in Limbo as Congress Returns to DC

Key Western Senators Still Haven’t Secured Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Despite Promises

Despite repeated empty promises from Western Senators like Cory Gardner (R-CO), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Steve Daines (R-MT) to secure full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the critical parks and public lands program remains in limbo. With Congress back in Washington, D.C., it is time for the Senate to do its job and fully fund the LWCF.

“Inaction and empty promises won’t protect our public lands, parks and Western way of life,” said Jayson O’Neill, Deputy Director for Western Values Project. “Until the LWCF is fully and permanently funded, these Western Senators are breaking promises to their constituents and the American people. The LWCF needs full and permanent funding now, before our outdoor heritage falls further into disrepair, and before our public lands are sold off to the highest bidder.”

While Interior Secretary David Bernhardt recently announced $170.6 million in state grants through the LWCF – a fraction of the full and permanent $900 million meant to be appropriated to protect America’s national parks, forests, and waterways – the Trump administration’s proposed budget has nearly zeroed out the critical parks and public lands fund. 

The LWCF is widely supported and doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. Since its creation in 1964, Congress has only allocated the full $900 million allowed under the act a handful of times, meaning $22 billion in funding to support America’s public lands, parks, and public access have been diverted. On March 12, 2019, the LWCF was signed into permanent law, after passing Congress by a wide bipartisan margin. But despite being permanently reauthorized, the LWCF  still faces an uncertain future with Congress neglecting to fully fund the critical program. 

Earlier this summer, Western Values Project launched a campaign calling on three key Western senators — Gardner, McSally, and Daines — to ensure full and permanent funding for the LWCF. The campaign has been urging constituents to visit TellMcSally.org, TellGardner.org, and TellDaines.org to tell their Senator to show leadership on this issue.

Join the effort to strengthen the American West.