Sen. Heinrich among Bipartisan Group of Senators Seeking Full Funding for LWCF

ALBUQUERQUE -- Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexicois leading an effort in the U.S. Senate to fully and permanently fund the Landand Water Conservation Fund while also addressing the maintenance backlog at nationalparks and other federal land management agencies.

Heinrich, a Democrat, is among a bipartisangroup of senators who introduced a bill on Monday called the Great AmericanOutdoors Act.

“This is a major step forward in our effort to fully,permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” Heinrich said.

The fund collects revenue from offshore energy production anduses it to acquire important lands around the country. The legislation wouldspecify that the $900 million a year earmarked for the fund not be diverted toother congressional programs.

In New Mexico, LWCF hashelped preserve the Valles Caldera, Ute Mountain, Valle de Oro NationalWildlife Refuge and other areas.

Heinrich said the LWCF also helps to power the state’s thrivingoutdoor recreation economy and protects drinking water while also providingpublic land access including neighborhood parks, soccer fields, and baseballdiamonds for New Mexico children.

The bill includes a measure championed by Heinrich to address maintenancebacklogs at all four public lands agencies and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The language in the bill secured by Senator Heinrich would make$1.9 billion available each year for agency maintenance projects -- $9.5 billiontotal -- with 70 percent allocated for National Park Service projects, 15 percentfor Forest Service, 5 percent for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5 percent forBureau of Land Management, and 5 percent for Bureau of Indian Educationschools.

“In addition to the National Park Service, the U.S. ForestService, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Managementprovide outdoor recreational opportunities for the American people, and havedeferred maintenance needs that deserve to be addressed,” Heinrich said. “Thisis especially important for sportsmen, since the vast majority of hunting and fishingon public lands happens in places managed by these other three agencies.”

Heinrich said he’s also proud of the effort to provide fundingto address safety and maintenance issues at the Bureau of Indian Education. “Fortoo long, many Bureau of Indian Education schools have been in need ofconstruction and repairs,” he said.

Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico WildlifeFederation, said Tuesday that he strongly supports the legislation.

“Fullfunding of the LWCF is critical to preserve environmentally sensitive areas forthe benefit of wildlife and for public recreation and enjoyment around thecountry,” Deubel said. “In addition, our nation has delayed adequate funding forNational Parks and other facilities for too long. We believe that now's the time to act.”