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Dingell: Congress Should be Embarrassed for Letting Conservation Fund Expire

Washington, DC, September 30, 2015

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement today in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), one of our nation’s oldest and most significant conservation programs. Authorization for LWCF will expire at midnight tonight without action by Congress. 

“In 1965, Congress had the wisdom to create a critical conservation program based on a simple principle – when you take resources out of one part of the earth you should preserve a different part of it. For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has had an incredible record of success using a small portion of offshore oil and gas drilling royalties to preserve beautiful, natural and iconic places in nearly every county in the country. The fund is critical for maintaining public access to outdoor recreation, promoting conservation, and supporting local economies. In fact, every $1 of LWCF money results in a return of $4 in economic value – all without costing the taxpayers a penny. 

 
“Most recently in my home state of Michigan, LWCF money was used to support the acquisition of the 410 acre Humbug Marsh unit to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. This investment allowed us to protect the last mile of natural shoreline along the U.S. portion of the Detroit River. There are so many other stories like this because LWCF is a program that benefits the entire country. 
 
“There is broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate for LWCF reauthorization. It is absurd that we are facing the looming expiration of this landmark program that has a proven record of success. We should be embarrassed for letting LWCF expire at midnight tonight. This is shameful. Congress should do its job and bring reauthorization legislation to the floor without delay, because if the LWCF received a vote it would pass by a wide margin. This is not the time to play games with a crucial program that protects our communities and supports our economy. I won’t stop fighting until we achieve this critical goal.”
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