CONTACT
Aaron Weiss, Deputy Director
Center for Western Priorities
aaron@westernpriorities.org
720-279-0019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2019
DENVER—Legislation passed today by the U.S. Senate to fund the federal government includes several key provisions relating to conservation and public lands. Additional legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security will be voted on by the Senate later today. Both spending packages previously passed the House and are expected to be signed by President Trump before current funding expires Friday night.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, often called America’s most important parks program, will receive $495 million, the most it has received since 2004, but far short of the $900 million for which it is authorized. Additionally, the legislation included funding increases for the National Park Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, and the Bureau of Land Management. The bills include increased funding for border wall construction, which is currently impacting Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. Notably, the legislation does not include additional funding for the administration’s push to move the Bureau of Land Management headquarters.
The legislative package includes a provision to ensure the protection of cultural resources around Chaco Culture National Historical Park before new oil and gas leasing proceeds on public lands in the region.
The Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Today’s vote is yet another instance of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ for our public lands. While today’s vote ensures another year of funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, it falls far short of the full, dedicated funding our parks and public lands need and deserve.
“In approving increased funding for the National Park Service and key conservation initiatives, Congress has yet again rejected the Trump administration’s draconian cuts designed to hamstring our public lands. Similarly, lawmakers dismissed this administration’s attempt to dismantle the Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters by allocating zero additional dollars for the planned move.
“Unfortunately, while the bill strives to protect Chaco Culture National Historical Park, it enables destructive border wall construction through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, threatening iconic wildlife and landscapes. Going forward, Congress should focus on conserving all of our national parks and monuments for future generations, instead of choosing places to protect and others to sacrifice.”
Learn more:
- Funding America’s Public Lands Future: How innovation and leadership can conserve our natural heritage for future generations [Westwise]
- It’s time for Congress to fund our most important parks program [Westwise]
- Breaking up the Bureau of Land Management headquarters will drain the agency of expertise and leadership [Westwise]
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org. Sign up for Look West to get daily public lands and energy news sent to your inbox.