Pressure grows for public lands package in future stimulus
E&E News, May 21, 2020
More than 100 House lawmakers yesterday demanded funding to address the maintenance backlog on public lands as well as other programs to boost the outdoor recreation economy as Congress contemplates its next pandemic aid package.
In a letter to House and Senate leadership, the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers called for the multitrillion-dollar bill to include full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The missive, organized by Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) and Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), also endorsed funding the maintenance backlog at the National Park Service and other agencies.
"In the face of this crisis, we have an opportunity to create jobs, rebuild our parks infrastructure, and provide a much-needed economic stimulus to outdoor recreation businesses by protecting public lands and parks," the letter states.
"Beyond these clear stimulus impacts, the inclusion of these important policy priorities will also help to reinvest in natural infrastructure that decreases demands on federal, state and local government budgets already facing staggering coronavirus-related challenges," the lawmakers wrote.
The letter goes on to say that "strong investments in protecting and maintaining our nation's public lands will provide greater, more equitable access to the outdoors for Americans coping with this national trauma."
The bipartisan group noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic brought most legislative work to a standstill, three bills with bipartisan support were working through both chambers.
Those measures are H.R. 1225, the "Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act"; H.R. 3195, the "LWCF Permanent Funding Act"; and S. 3422, the "Great American Outdoors Act."
A growing coalition of advocacy groups and industry organizations has likewise pressed for the inclusion of funding to support the outdoor recreation economy in recent weeks (E&E Daily, May 7).
The Outdoor Industry Association added its voice to the mix yesterday, urging congressional leadership to support permanent LWCF funding, as well as backing legislation that would ease the permitting systems used by guides and outfitters on public lands and revive the Civilian Conservation Corps.
"As Congress moves forward with response and helping with the recovery from the ongoing pandemic and its economic impacts, we ask that you consider the critical role our public lands and the opportunities for outdoor recreation play in our country's recovery," wrote OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug.
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner (R) and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) also touted a letter yesterday from more than 850 outdoors, sportsmen and conservation groups endorsing the "Great American Outdoors Act," which they co-sponsored.
"This outpouring of support from groups both large and small is evidence of the positive impact this bill will have on communities across the country with the ability to create jobs and reinvest in local economies," Manchin said in a statement.
Adding to the pressure, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to funnel millions of dollars to the outdoor advocates hurt by COVID-19, among other areas, including fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (see related story).
House Democrats could unveil a new pandemic response package as soon as today with money for local governments and support for testing. Republicans are not on board (E&E Daily, May 11).
Read more at https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/05/12/stories/1063112339
