Advocating for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Caroline Brouwer cbrouwer@refugeassociation.org 202-420-9625

Agenda What is LWCF? Why is LWCF important to refuges? Current funding/reauthorization situation Projects being funded in FY16 Reauthorization Your ask on Capitol Hill

History of the Land & Water Conservation Fund LWCF was originally created in 1965 as a 50 year program. Congress’ intent was to: meet the nation’s growing desire to preserve natural areas and culturally and historically significant landmarks and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation Ask for examples of major social change in our nation: Civil rights Confederate flag Refuge system Who are you the voice for: Provide policymakers with important view and expertise: Sample of CARE and Refuge Association reports

History of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Funds come from revenues from outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing fees a smaller amount comes from revenues from tax on motorboat fuels and sale of federal surplus real property The program specifies that $900 million go into the fund, however, only once has the program been fully funded—why is this?

Why is LWCF Important to Refuges? LWCF is complicated—funds are split between state and federal programs, including FWS, FS, USDA, NPS Some funds go to FWS, which are then used to acquire lands to add to the Refuge System Each year, FWS puts out a list of projects to be funded—Friends have the opportunity to lobby to have their refuge included

Clarks River, San Pablo Bay, John Heinz

FY16 Current Funding Levels FY16: $58 million for FWS projects on refuges Overall, LWCF is funded at $450 million, a $145 million increase over FY15 Our GOAL: $900 Full Funding If fully funded, FWS would receive ~$165 million in funding

FWS LWCF appropriations

Projects to be funded in FY16 Hakalau Forest NWR—$8.589 m Dakota Grassland Conservation Area—$6.5 m Sangre de Cristo Conservation Area—$1 m Dakota Tallgrass Prairie WMA—$3 m Camas NWR—$0.28 m Red Rocks Lake NWR—$1 m Everglades Headwaters Conservation Area—$2.091 m Rappahannock NWR—$1.6 m Blackwater NWR—$1.511 m Everglades Headwaters Conservation Area—$2.5 m Gray’s Lake NWR—$2.5 m Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR—$0.5 m Silvio O. Conte NFWR—$2 m Bear River Watershed Conservation Area—$2 m Flint Hills Conservation Area—$2 m Total:   $35.911 m

Reauthorization LWCF expired after 50 years in 2015 In the FY16 omnibus bill passed in December, the program was extended for 3 years We are asking for permanent reauthorization, with dedicated funding (not through appropriations) Why has this not happened already? Opposition from western Members Lack of funding

Your ask on Capitol Hill If your refuge has a project to be funded, talk to your state delegation about the merits of the project How will it enhance the refuge? How will it benefit the surrounding community? Advocate for full funding of LWCF, at $900 million each year Advocate for dedicated funding and permanent reauthorization of LWCF

Resources National Wildlife Refuge Association www.refugeassociation.org NWRA LWCF page www.refugeassociation.org/lwcf Interior Department LWCF Resources www.doi.org/lwcf LWCF Coalition http://lwcfcoalition.org