NSIA wants to enthusiastically thank US Senator Patty Murray for her recent co-sponsorship of Senate Bill 338, bipartisan legislation which provides full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. On the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, President Obama’s budget restores full funding to the program. LWCF funding, derived primarily from oil and gas drilling royalties, purchases, enhances and protects public lands for our use and enjoyment. Access to abundant and productive public lands sustains jobs in the sport fishing industry. In 2014 the LWCF was deeply cut, yet still purchased fish and big game habitat in the Yakima River basin and critical spawning habitat in the Pysht forest, among other projects.
NSIA thanks Senator Murray for her strong support of the funding from her press release:
“In Washington state, we know better than most that it’s absolutely critical protect our natural resources, not only for the environment, but also for our economy…I’m very encouraged that the president has made such strong commitments to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Puget Sound restoration efforts in his budget request, and I will be working hard to meet these funding levels in the appropriations process this year.”