Letter to the Editor: Land, water conservation program should be funded

Editor:

Thank you to Sen. Steve Daines for being a strong champion for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Senator Daines has pressed Appropriations Committees in both the House, when he was Montana’s representative, and also in the Senate, for the most robust funding solution possible.  Recently, he offered an amendment, adopted in the Senate Appropriations Committee, to ensure LWCF did not lose out — and restored funding to enacted levels.

  Additionally, Daines recently cosponsored S. 338, a bill sponsored by Senator Burr, R-N.C. and co-sponsored by Jon Tester and others on both sides of the aisle, to make permanent the authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and to ensure portions of the fund are reserved for public access to existing public lands — a provision especially important to Montana sportsmen.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about what’s best for Montana.  Simply put, LWCF impacts every Montanan, it’s good for business, and it improves our quality of life here – whether you’re an outfitter, hunter, hiker, a kid or cowboy.  Montana benefits from LWCF more than any other state and uses that funding to secure access or preserve critical winter range. Reauthorizing and funding LWCF is a no-brainer — it’s fitting that the Montana delegation leads on this issue and we’re very grateful that they do. With less than 80 days left until this program expires, we urge the Montana delegation to work together, build consensus across the aisle and in both Chambers of Congress to ensure this program is reauthorized.  

Mac Minard

Executive Director

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association