Dear Senator,

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) works to turn environmental values into national priorities. Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of members of Congress on environmental legislation. The Scorecard is distributed to LCV members, concerned voters nationwide, and the media.

LCV urges you to vote YES on S. 47, the “Natural Resources Management Act,” which would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and protect several million acres of public lands and waters, among other provisions.

LWCF is the nation’s best and most accessible parks program, which has benefitted every region and nearly every county in the United States by funding projects ranging from increasing access to national parks to creating local parks. Despite its widespread support and benefits, LWCF’s authorization expired last September, when the program lapsed for the second time in three years. While LWCF also needs full, dedicated funding in addition to permanent reauthorization, S. 47 is a major step forward in ensuring that LWCF continues for future generations.

1. 47 also includes more than 100 local and regional land protection bills, including legislation to designate wilderness and other protections, as well as the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which would provide free access to our nation’s public lands and waters for fourth graders and their families. S. 47 would result in over 2 million acres of new protected lands and rivers and boost our nation’s outdoor recreation economy.

While we strongly support S. 47, we do not support every provision in the package, including the highly controversial Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act (S. 785 in the 115^th Congress).

Despite our concerns, we urge you to SUPPORT S. 47 and oppose any amendments undermining conservation. We will strongly consider including votes on this bill in the 2019 Scorecard. If you need more information, please call my office at (202) 785-8683 and ask to speak with a member of our government relations team.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski

President