Agenda Date: 09/04/2018
Subject:
Title
A resolution recommending full funding and permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Body
Presented By:
Mark Relph, City Manager
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support recommending full funding and permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)?
BACKGROUND:
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was created in 1964 as a bi-partisan commitment to protect natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans. LWCF is funded from royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf. Essentially, revenues from the depletion of one natural resource are used to conserve other natural resources.
For over 50 years, LWCF has played a critical role in providing funding for conserving national parks and forests, rivers, farms and ranches, fish and wildlife, access for hunters and recreationists, trails, state and local parks, and recreational facilities throughout Colorado and the nation.
LWCF plays a key role with state and local governments to provide resources for local recreation facilities such as parks, playgrounds, and sports fields, but also critical preemptive programs including wildfire and flood mitigation. For example, LWCF matching funds enabled the town of Lyons, Colorado, to rebuild and extend its St. Vrain Corridor Trail, which suffered nearly $50 million in damages in the devastating floods of 2013. The restoration efforts were significant, not only to quality of life for residents, but in supporting the community's recreation economy, as Lyons' parks can draw some 2,000 people on a typical summer weekend.
Whether Coloradans and visitors are fishing, mountain biking, hiking in the wild, enjoying a picnic in the park with the family, or watching their kids play soccer at the local field, it's likely the Land and Water Conservation Fund played a key role ...
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