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County Council recognizes lasting impact of Land and Water Conservation Fund
Summary
Celebrating a half century of creating open and recreational spaces
Story
Residents throughout King County and across the United States enjoy on a daily basis the legacy of a program championed by U.S. Sen. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson. The Metropolitan King County Council recognized at its October 6 meeting the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCF), which has been used to preserve land that has become open and recreational space. The LWCF is up for renewal, and the recognition urges Congress to reauthorize and financially support the fund.“It is imperative that Congress act now to reauthorize the fund so it continues to ensure all Americans have places to recreate and enjoy nature,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips, the sponsor of the recognition. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund is just one example of the legacy Sen. Jackson established to benefit our nation.”
Sen. Jackson was the sponsor of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in September 1964. The LWCF utilizes a small portion of federal lands lease royalties paid to the federal government for offshore energy development to purchase open space.
The proceeds generated by the LWCF have been used in a number of ways, acquiring everything from working forests to soccer fields and baseball diamonds. In King County, funds from the LWCF have been used to protect significant portions of land in the Mountains to Sound Greenway, a national scenic byway that stretches over 100 miles along I-90 from the waterfront in Seattle all the way to Central Washington.
Joanna Grist, Executive Director of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, as well as Lara Iglitzin, Executive Director of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, spoke to Councilmembers about the accomplishments of the LWCF and the importance of renewing it.
| RECOGNITION |
WHEREAS, Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson from Washington State introduced the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to Congress, where it was overwhelmingly favorably received, and signed into law by President Johnson on September 3, 1964, for the benefit of future generations; and
WHEREAS, by utilizing a small portion of lease royalties paid to the federal government for offshore energy development, and no taxpayer dollars, the LWCF has left an enormous legacy of protecting everything from local sports fields and working forests to national parks; and
WHEREAS, in Washington State, the LWCF has invested close to $600 million in over 600 projects, including protecting the Mountains to Sound Greenway, which provides a wealth of recreation opportunities stretching from the Puget Sound across the Cascade Mountains; and
WHEREAS, in Washington State, outdoor recreation generates 227,000 jobs, $7.1 billion in wages and salaries, and $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, over 47 percent of Washington youth lack access to a neighborhood park or walking path, demonstrating a continued need for LWCF investment; and
WHEREAS, Congress must reauthorize the LWCF for Americans to continue to have the opportunity to enjoy our nation’s outdoor spaces for another 50 years;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, hereby recognize the legacy of the
| LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND |
in King County, and we encourage county residents to support the LWCF and the U.S. Congress to reauthorize this fund for the benefit of all Americans.
DATED this sixth day of October, 2014.
Representatives from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition
join Councilmembers in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act.
