Washington, D.C. — LCV Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel released the following statement on passage through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee of S. 569, legislation permanently reauthorizing and fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):

“This is an important step forward in our efforts to restore America’s best parks program that the GOP-led Congress shamefully let expire on September 30. As the committee rightfully affirmed, the Land and Water Conservation Fund deserves full, dedicated funding just as the committee has dedicated money to addressing the national parks maintenance backlog. Maintenance simply isn’t enough to protect the future of our national parks and public lands – it’s LWCF that secures access to trails and prevents inappropriate development within park boundaries. Republican leaders in Congress allowed the Land and Water Conservation Fund to expire, so they should take corrective action by swiftly scheduling a vote to permanently reauthorize and fully fund America’s best parks program.”

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