MINNEAPOLIS — Feb.19, 2021 — Last week, the Department of the Interior released an order stating that it will reduce restrictions on the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that were implemented in November, a move applauded by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the outdoor recreation community.
The LWCF was strengthened by the passage in August of the Great American Outdoors Act, one of the most significant conservation achievements in a generation, and guaranteed full funding for LWCF at $900 million each year. A Secretarial Order on Nov. 9, which was overturned on Feb. 11, granted county commissioners veto authority over private landowners’ decisions to sell their land.
“MRAA and the whole recreational boating industry is glad to see that the Department of the Interior is pulling a previous order that would hamstring the ability to get this needed funding on the ground, making an impact in our nation’s communities,” said Adam Fortier-Brown, government relations manager for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “Recreational boaters and anglers depend on proper access to public lands and waterways, and sound investments in recreational projects from federal, state and private partners to conserve fisheries habitats. Our industry is glad to have a seat at the table to support this work and help get more people outdoors.”
The Great American Outdoors Act requires federal land management agencies to set aside $27 million annually for recreational access projects such as development of an access road, parking lot and fishing dock system at the Yellowjacket Reservoir in Oregon; creating an 11-mile network of parks, boat launches and trails on the Northern Delaware River in Philadelphia; and expanding capacity, improving accessibility and increasing recreational opportunities at Lakeside Park on Lake Chelan in Washington State.
MRAA worked with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable to create an LWCF project map to help identify important recreational LWCF projects for federal agencies. A project map and the “Top 11” LWCF projects from across the outdoor industry can be accessed here.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been crucial to protecting public lands, conserving wildlife habitats and improving access to outdoor recreation. Interior’s actions affirm our support for one of America’s most successful and popular conservation programs,” said Shannon A. Estenoz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “We look forward to further strengthening this successful program to ensure that all communities —from hikers and sportsmen to urban and underserved communities — have access to nature and the great outdoors.”
For more information, please contact MRAA Government Relations Manager Adam Fortier-Brown at adam@mraa.com.
