Following the expiration of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) over the weekend, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today voted to approve the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (S. 569).
Senator Steve Daines, as a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, voted for the bill, which he has cosponsored along with Senator Jon Tester and 46 other senators from both parties.
Montanans should be grateful for Senator Daines’ continued efforts to push forward S. 569 and address the need to reauthorize and fully fund LWCF. Senator Daines understands how important LWCF is for hunters, anglers, and everyone who enjoys the outdoors.
LWCF program supports land acquisition, conservation easements, and other projects that provide public access for hunting and fishing, as well as preserving essential wildlife habitat and migration corridors in Montana and across the nation. The 54-year-old conservation program expired when Congress failed to reauthorize it before September 30.
569 now awaits action by the full Senate. The House of Representatives has not passed legislation to reauthorize or fund LWCF before adjourning last week for a six-week break until after the November election.
