I thought I’d add some context to this since it’s lacking on this thread. Lots
of good for our public lands will come from this bill. No doubt. It’s always
been like that with the LWCF. It’s just now being fully funded for a while.
However the funding is coming from new and expanded energy development on
public lands beyond the offshore energy development that’s funded it for years.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul. As an example, increased oil and gas development in
core sage grouse habitat that’ll help drive that bird and the sagebrush system
down the toilet just to update toilets on public land. That’s largely what it
comes down to. It’s not a cure all.
The LWFC has done a lot of good at the expense of damage to the environment and
lack of consideration for many things that we all need to conserve and protect
(air, water, land, and the wildlife we all care about). It’s far from all roses
and peaches. Keep that in mind.
Some facts and context:
https://slate.com/technology/2020/07/great-american-outdoors-act-fossil-fuel-funding-preservation-tourism.html
Scott Somershoe
Littleton CO
On Aug 5, 2020, at 10:52 AM, Danny Gaddy <gaddy@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
This is great news! Thanks to all for helping make it happen! Danny
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Dev Joslin
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 9:39 AM
To: Tn Bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; luvsbirdn@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: Melinda Welton <melinda.welton@xxxxxxxxxx>; Dick Preston
<dickpreston48@xxxxxxxxx>; Cyndi Routledge <routledges@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TN-Bird] Re: Great American Outdoors Act
Great news! Thanks Kelly.
Dev Joslin
Monteverde, Costa Rica
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf
of Kelly Roy <luvsbirdn@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 10:36 PM
To: Tn Bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TN-Bird] Great American Outdoors Act
Tn-Birders,
The Great American Outdoors Act was just signed into law. In commemoration,
National Park entrance fees will be waived on Wednesday, August 5th, 2020.
Entrance fees will be waived on August 4th in subsequent years.
This legislation will provide nearly $3B/year to improve our National Parks
and Wildlife Refuges ($900M/yr to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation
Fund and $1.9B/yr over the next 5 years to fund maintenance backlogs at
National Parks & other federal lands). LWCF will be funded by offshore oil
and gas revenues (rather than by tax dollars) and represents double the
current spending.
Passage of this Act is a huge win for birds, birders, and all outdoor
enthusiasts, and was supported by The Nature Conservancy and numerous other
organizations. This Act is anticipated to create 100,000 new jobs and for
many birders this represents the most significant conservation legislation
enacted in their lifetimes.
Hopefully we can all get out and enjoy a National Park or Wildlife Refuge in
the coming months.
Kelly Roy
Knoxville TN
Virus-free. www.avast.com
