Over the last 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund ("LWCF") has been one of the most effective ways to expand and improve opportunities across the country for the outdoor recreation community, including whitewater paddlers. Chances are good that some of your experiences out on the water have been possible because of the LWCF.  

 

The LWCF was established in 1965 to meet a growing demand for preserving natural spaces, and it has funded thousand of river access and conservation projects across the country since then. It is set to expire in September 2015, and your voices are needed to ensure that this important program continues into the future. 

 

The idea behind LWCF is simple--reinvest some of the wealth from offshore drilling in order to preserve natural areas, culturally and historically significant landmarks, and outdoor recreation opportunities. No taxpayer dollars are used to supply the Fund, and it is authorized to receive $900 million each year. Unfortunately, the full level of funding has rarely been realized throughout the history of the LWCF, as funds are often diverted elsewhere.

 

Some of the notable projects that the LWCF made possible include bringing critical access locations into public ownership on the White Salmon and Green Rivers in Washington, and preserving the scenic quality on the Middle Fork Salmon in Idaho and the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia.

 

American Whitewater has long advocated that the LWCF be fully and automatically funded at $900 million per year, every year. This is a critical year for the LWCF, and we encourage you to make your voice heard! 

 

 

Contact your Senators and ask that they support reauthorizing and fully funding the LWCF, permanently. When you're done, encourage your outdoor friends to do the same!