Tester, Daines urge Senate to permanently reauthorize and fully fund LWCF

Senators: LWCF is “one of the country’s best conservation programs”

(U.S. Senate) – Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are urging Senate leaders to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect more of Montana’s best outdoor places.

LWCF, which expired October 1, funds conservation projects in all 50 states using offshore oil and gas receipts.

Tester and Daines, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), called LWCF “one of the country’s best conservation programs,” pointing out that the fund has supported over 41,000 state and local projects.

LWCF was recently used to preserve more than 8,000 acres of elk habitat in Meagher County, known as the Tenderfoot.

“For the economy, sportsmen, veterans, wildlife, and our kids and grandkids, we must permanently reauthorize LWCF — America’s must successful conservation program,” the Senators wrote. “We also strongly request that you include mandatory full funding in any must-pass year end legislation.”

Montana has received $540 million from LWCF over the last five decades.

Tester and Daines’ letter to McConnell and Reid is available online HERE.