Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today welcomed the Administration’s announcement that its Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget proposal will include full funding and permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation (LWCF) program. The budget allocates LWCF funding to several projects across Colorado.
“LWCF is one of our most effective conservation programs, with half of its funds dedicated to state administered projects,” Bennet said. “It benefits rural and urban communities across Colorado, including projects to protect the scenic landscapes near Ophir and create a park for kids to explore and learn about nature in Montbello. It’s time to reauthorize and fully fund LWCF to help preserve our state’s beauty for future generations.”
Since coming to the Senate, Bennet has fought to strengthen the LWCF. Last year, he introduced a bipartisan bill with Republican Senators Richard Burr of North Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire to permanently reauthorize the LWCF. He has also fought to fully fund the program.
The FY 2017 budget proposal would direct funding to several projects across Colorado. One of these, within the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area, will improve and expand access to the Colorado River for recreational users and sportsmen. The budget also proposes funding to protect one of the parcels in “The Wedge” between Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest. Bennet has introduced a bill with Senator Cory Gardner to protect the ten parcels of land in “The Wedge” and incorporate them into Arapaho National Forest. Additionally, the budget proposes funding to preserve the Carson mining claims in the Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests and for the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.