|
Hagan co-sponsors bipartisan bill to protect NC’s public lands
Story Date: 3/4/2013
| |
Source: PRESS RELEASE, 3/1/13
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today co-sponsored legislation that would help protect North Carolina’s national parks, recreation areas and waterways by ensuring sufficient funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2013 would guarantee full funding for LWCF. With only one exception, funding forLWCF has been diverted for other purposes every year since the Fund was created nearly half a century ago.
“LWCF plays a critical role in preserving North Carolina’s parks, green spaces and public lands, which support tens of thousands of jobs in our state,” Hagan said. “This legislation will ensure that we have the resources needed to protect places like the Great Smoky Mountains in the west, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the east, and all of our state’s natural gems in between. We must take proper care of these natural resources that are so important to our economy and our culture."
“We commend Senator Hagan for her steadfast support of full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said Tim Gestwicki, Chief Executive Officer of the NC Wildlife Federation. “NC sportsmen and wildlife conservationists enthusiastically hail the Senator’s leadership. Now, we need the rest of the Nation’s elected officials to follow our NC Senator’s leadership in making sure this legislation is passed for the benefit of future generations. This is an incredible opportunity for our leaders to build a legacy of protecting land and water for nature and people.”
Hagan is committed to protecting North Carolina’s valuable natural resources. Outdoor recreation in North Carolina:
• Supports 95,000 jobs
• Generates $430 million in annual state tax revenue
• Produces $6.1 billion annually in retail sales and services
LWCF was established in 1963 and is authorized to receive $900 million each year from royalties collected from offshore oil and gas leases. North Carolina has received approximately $227 million in LWCF funding since 1963.
LWCF supports the acquisition of land and conservation easements to protect national parks, wildlife refuge, forests, and trails; grants funds to the states for local and state park needs; protects wildlife habitat, watersheds and recreational access; and conserves working farms, ranches and forestlands.
|
|
|
|
