1. Advocating for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Caroline Brouwer

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. Clarks River, San Pablo Bay, John Heinz

7. 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

8. FWS LWCF appropriations

9. 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:   $ m

10. 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

11. 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

12. Resources
National Wildlife Refuge Association
NWRA LWCF page
Interior Department LWCF Resources
LWCF Coalition