BuzzH
Well-known member
WASHINGTON — An omnibus budget deal released by Congress early this morning increases agency funding and includes a measure that reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund – but for only three years.
The spending bill for Fiscal Year 2016 represents a hard-won – and at times bitterly contested – agreement that funds the federal government in the coming year while narrowly averting another shutdown. While acknowledging the hard work by Congress, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers reiterated the need for LWCF legislation that permanently reauthorizes and fully funds the highly successful conservation program.
“Christmas came early for sportsmen late last night when Congress passed a budget deal that not only avoided a government shutdown but also includes a provision to reauthorize the Land and Water conservation fund for three years at $450 million,” said BHA President and CEO Land Tawney.
“Strong bipartisan support for the LWCF overcame fringe elements in the Senate – and House Natural Resources Chair Rob Bishop – to do the right thing for conservation and public access,” Tawney continued. “Unfortunately this provision is like getting a bike for Christmas with no air in the tires. Congress had the opportunity to do the right thing for LWCF once and for all but failed to move language already developed that would permanently reauthorize one of our nation’s most historic, successful conservation programs.”
Full story here:
http://www.backcountryhunters.org/i...op-gap-lwcf-measure-in-late-night-budget-deal
The spending bill for Fiscal Year 2016 represents a hard-won – and at times bitterly contested – agreement that funds the federal government in the coming year while narrowly averting another shutdown. While acknowledging the hard work by Congress, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers reiterated the need for LWCF legislation that permanently reauthorizes and fully funds the highly successful conservation program.
“Christmas came early for sportsmen late last night when Congress passed a budget deal that not only avoided a government shutdown but also includes a provision to reauthorize the Land and Water conservation fund for three years at $450 million,” said BHA President and CEO Land Tawney.
“Strong bipartisan support for the LWCF overcame fringe elements in the Senate – and House Natural Resources Chair Rob Bishop – to do the right thing for conservation and public access,” Tawney continued. “Unfortunately this provision is like getting a bike for Christmas with no air in the tires. Congress had the opportunity to do the right thing for LWCF once and for all but failed to move language already developed that would permanently reauthorize one of our nation’s most historic, successful conservation programs.”
Full story here:
http://www.backcountryhunters.org/i...op-gap-lwcf-measure-in-late-night-budget-deal
