Conservation Voters Call on Speaker Ryan to Protect Land and Water Conservation Fund Print
News
Written by Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Ryan Billingham   
Friday, 28 September 2018 14:36

door-county_bikingFund would protect places like the Ice Age Trail, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, St. Croix National Scenic River, and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, as well as local parks, public lands, and trails.


MADISON – As one of the country's signature public lands programs is set to expire on Sunday, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters delivered a letter  to Speaker Paul Ryan today signed by more than 800 conservation voters urging its reauthorization.

paul-ryanThe Trump Administration’s budget proposes a 90 percent reduction in the Land and Water Conservation Fund – a fund that Wisconsin relies heavily upon to maintain its public lands. In fact, without LWCF, Speaker Ryan's hometown wouldn't have the Cook Arboretum or Prairie Knoll Park – or a half dozen other city projects.

The fund is set to expire on September 30th. Speaker Paul Ryan has the power to bring a vote on important bipartisan legislation that will begin to build a permanent future for the fund, but he has done nothing.

“It's time for Speaker Ryan to act,” Kerry Schumann, executive director, said. “There's little time left and his silence on this critical program is deafening and irresponsible. Hunters, anglers, hikers, bird watchers, picnicking families, and many more enjoy the places that have been created and protected by LWCF. The LWCF has had a profound positive impact on communities throughout Speaker Ryan's district and across Wisconsin. Speaker Ryan needs to step up and do his job."

In Wisconsin, the LWCF has provided approximately $212 million to protect places like the Ice Age Trail, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, St. Croix National Scenic River, and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It also enhances and creates local parks, public lands, and trails. Everything from small city ball parks to large wildlife areas have benefited from the fund. The LWCF doesn't cost taxpayers a dime because royalties from the offshore drilling industry fund the program.

Click here for the letter and the list of its signers.

# # #

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable, and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin's public health and natural resources.