Activists Rally For Land And Water Conservation Fund

IMBA Trail News
Volume 11, Number 3
July-August 1998

IMBA board member Jim Hasenauer represented IMBA at the Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation (AHR) National Summit in New Orleans, May 28-30. Some 120 representatives from state and local governments, land management agencies, and environmental, neighborhood preservation and recreational groups met to continue the work of revitalizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Hasenauer spoke on the panel "Recreation: From Urban to Wilderness" and described how more open space and recreational lands near cities is important for environmental, recreational and quality of life reasons. LWCF is the logical source of funds for new parkland acquistion.

IMBA was a founding member of the AHR coalition and the LWCF is one of IMBA's legislative priorities. In 1965, Congress created the LWCF to spend off-shore oil leasing revenues and other dedicated funds to preserve habitat, assure that all Americans have access to quality outdoor recreation, and strengthen the health and vitality of all Americans. It was a simple idea, a "pay as you go" program using revenues from off shore oil drilling to support the creation of parks, clean water and open space.

In the 30 years since its creation, LWCF has been responsible for the acquisition of nearly seven million acres of park land and open space, and the development of more than 37,000 park and recreation projects around the country. It's a sure bet that there's a park near you that was created with LWCF money. From playgrounds to ball fields to historical sites to trails, LWCF has been key in providing places for Americans to recreate. Until 1980, allocations from the fund closely matched revenues, which is as it should be.

LWCF is authorized by Congress to receive $900 million each year. At least 40% of the funds must be spent on federal projects; the rest, when matched by local dollars, had been a mainstay of state and local park spending. But appropriations dwindled after 1980 and in the 1990s funding to state and local governments was eliminated. The oil leasing revenue continued to enter the fund, but it was not spent as authorized. Last year, the AHR coalition began working to restore funding for this important program.

AHR worked hard to establish name recognition for LWCF and secured broad support for the program. In 1997, some congressional leadership and administration support resulted in the highest appropriation in the history of the program. But this year a hostile congressional committee is withholding last year's approved funds. The money will be released, but late, and that means less funding this year. That's the game both Congress and the Administration have been playing with this money. It's been used to make the deficit look smaller or as a bargaining chip in other battles. Meanwhile public land acquisition programs are underfunded and environmental and recreational needs are unmet.

The LWCF buys land and puts it in public protection for public use. Nothing could be more important to mountain bicyclists and that's why IMBA's involved.

Jim Hasenauer will keep IMBA members informed on LWCF issues on the IMBA listserve. Mountain bikers have been welcomed to the coalition and are already perceived as an active and important constituency. Feel free to contact Jim at if you have questions or ideas for how mountain bikers can be leaders in the LWCF campaign.

Take Action

Here are some of the things AHR suggests you do to support LWCF:

1. Adopt an existing or proposed LWCF site in your state. Contact AHR at 202-429-8444 or at to get a list of LWCF sites in your community or state.

2. Meet with local reporters and editorial boards. Whether it's the need to protect a wildlife refuge or create a trail system or soccer field, discuss the importance of LWCF with your local media.

3. Write letters, make phone calls and meet with decision makers. The best way to get the word out on the needs of your adopted site is to contact elected officials, including mayors, governors and members of Congress.

4. Build a network of people in your area interested in protecting your adopted LWCF project. A good campaign involves a diverse groups of people united in a common cause. Include conservation and park advocates, youth organizations, law enforcement agencies, recreation specialists and others who have an interest in your project.

5. Join the "Campaign for Open Spaces and the Great Outdoors, AHR's a long term effort to press for full funding for the LWCF.