Title
Supporting the permanent reauthorization of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Body
WHEREAS, for the past 54 years, the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has been an important program for meeting communities' conservation and recreation needs, from national parks and wildlife refuges, to sacred battlefields and historic sites, to working forests and critical habitat, to neighborhood playgrounds and recreational facilities; and
WHEREAS, this program invests not only in our quality of life, but in supporting over nine million American jobs in recreation, conservation, and historic activities which contribute more than a trillion dollars to the U.S. economy; and
WHEREAS, in Minnesota, the LWCF has invested more than $245 million to protect the state's open spaces to including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and many community parks, trails, sports fields and recreation facilities; and
WHEREAS, LWCF has provided essential funding to protect Minnesota’s outdoor places, promote healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat and used to increase sportsmen’s access and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, LWCF program funds have been used for a portion or all of the following St. Paul projects including: Linwood Park, Mounds Recreation Center, Crosby Lake Park Hidden Falls Park, Taylor Park, Marydale Park, Swede Hollow Park, and Furness Parkway Trail; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Paul has a vested interest in conserving our natural spaces for the environmental and recreational quality of life of our future generations; and
WHEREAS, LWCF does not receive taxpayer dollars, but rather, is funded with revenues paid to the government from offshore oil and gas drilling; and
WHEREAS, the LWCF expired on September 30, 2018, and Congress must take action to continue it before the end of 2018; and
WHEREAS, the LWCF needs long-term stability and, therefore, should be reauthorized permanently.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of St. Paul, that Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith be requested to support the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congresswoman Betty McCollum, known and appreciated for her support of outdoor recreation, be requested to support the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund as her support of the citizens of the Third District of Minnesota.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation to show support for the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.