Tester statement on LWCF’s temporary reauthorization

(U.S. Senate) – As Senator Jon Tester reviews the 2016 omnibus spending bill to see if it works for Montana, he released the following statement about the temporary reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):

“LWCF remains one of the best ways to increase public access to public lands, and for months I’ve been hearing from Montanans about the importance of permanent reauthorization and full funding. While I’m relieved that LWCF may be revived, this temporary authorization and short-term funding misses the mark in what should have been an easy bullseye.”

If passed by the House and Senate, the omnibus will reauthorize LWCF for three years and increase fiscal year 2016 funding to $450 million.

LWCF, which funds conservation projects in all 50 states using offshore oil and gas receipts, expired this year for the first time in its 50-year history.