WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Senator Maria Cantwell, along with Senator Richard Burr, introduced a bill that will permanently reauthorize funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is a simple idea that works to conserve and provide access to some of the best wildlife habitat in the country. It provides a path to improved land management and better-connected habitat corridors, while helping to protect critical lands in national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, Civil War battlefields, and other federal areas nationwide. Millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts also rely on the healthy fish and wildlife populations sustained by the landscapes supported by LWCF. The Land and Water Conservation Fund celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, marking half a century of conservation.  
 
“Permanent authorization of LWCF would enable more Americans to enjoy more of our nation's abundant wildlife and remarkable natural resources,” said Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation. “If this bipartisan bill passes, future generations will be able to enjoy outdoor recreation from hunting and fishing to hiking and camping in more swaths of uninterrupted wild places. This would be a priceless contribution to our America's shared conservation legacy.
 
“America’s population is growing and LWCF provides outdoor opportunities for all Americans to access public lands. In particular, the National Wildlife Federation applauds the 1.5% sportsmen’s access provision, which will ensure that 1.5 percent of funds will go toward improving hunting and fishing access on public lands. Senator Cantwell has shown strong and continued leadership on this issue and we urge Congress to pass this legislation in order to provide sufficient funds for wildlife and community recreation across the country.”