Land Conservation Brings Country Together
The federal Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law on August 4, after enjoying overwhelming bipartisan votes in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (including a near-unanimous yes vote from the NYS delegation). On this historic day the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) finally received full and permanent funding after months, years and decades of advocacy on the part of environmental groups, including Parks & Trails New York, which was the point organization in NYS for the national LWCF coaltion.
For 55 years, LWCF advocates have awaited this moment. Since its inception in 1964, LWCF has been critically and continuously underfunded. With the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, one of the most important and impactful conservation programs will reach its full potential, with lasting effects for generations to come.
The Great American Outdoors Act annually devotes $3 billion to conserving, maintaining, and providing access to the outdoors. The money goes towards parks, trails, and wildlife at the local, state, and national level. Of the $3 billion, $900 million is dedicated to LWCF, which is funded by revenue generated by offshore oil and gas royalty payments.
New York has received $348 million from the LWCF over the years. You have probably visited many of the places it has protected, including state parks and historic sites, local parks and playgrounds, and wildlife management areas,. In 2003, Peebles Island State Park received a grant from LWCF. The park's Friends group, Friends of Peebles Island State Park, has benefited from the fund too, as it now has a place to work out of. Letchworth State Park has received six grants from LWCF in the span of 15 years, with over half a million dollars going towards rehabilitating and improving the “Grand Canyon of the East." Every county in NYS has received funding from LWCF,, for planning, acquisition, and development.
The passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is a great reminder of what can be accomplished through steadfast advocacy, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Since 1985, Parks & Trails New York has been committed to securing access to the outdoors and the benefits it brings to the economy. PTNY is proud to be a part of the LWCF Coalition, a national, collective group of organizations that was instrumental in the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act.
To find out more, read the article about the legislation in our July e-newsletter.