Conservation fund is set to expire on Sept. 30
La Crosse — With bald eagles soaring overhead, anglers and sailers plying the water and thousands of acres of public land as a backdrop, Sec. Sally Jewell and Rep. Ron Kind had ample material to support their argument.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund should be reauthorized, they said.
“Wildlife and outdoor recreation are highly valued by Americans,” said Jewell, Secretary of the Department of Interior. “When it comes to investing in these values, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is exemplary.”
Established in 1965, the fund takes a portion of royalties from offshore oil and gas development and distributes it to states and communities to purchase green spaces, build boat launches and ball fields and undertake other recreation projects.
Over the last five decades the LWCF State Grants program has provided $3.9 billion and assisted 41,999 projects across the U.S., including at least one project in each county.
In addition, its Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund has provided $394 million in grants to protect and conserve the habitat of threatened and endangered species. And its Forest Legacy Program has provided $1.4 billion and protected 2.37 million acres of environmentally sensitive land.
Since the funding does not come from taxpayers but from corporations that make profits on public resources, the LWCF has enjoyed broad support.
“It’s been a very big success,” said Kind (D-Wis.). “And the support has historically been bipartisan in nature.”
However, the current Congress has work to do. Unless the fund is reauthorized by Sept. 30, it will expire.
Jewell toured western Wisconsin with Kind on Friday to see firsthand some of the habitat and facilities supported by the fund. Jewell also announced $42 million of projects to be funded by LWCF this year, including $800,000 in Wisconsin.
States match the funding by at least 50% and determine how to leverage the funding to support the priorities of local communities, such as building parks and ball fields, providing hunters and anglers access to rivers or public lands and conserving landscapes for public use and enjoyment.
In Wisconsin, the fund has provided $76.6 million for projects over five decades, including purchase of 122,905 acres for public recreation, according to Department of Interior records.
Among a long list of projects, the fund has supported Apostle Islands National Seashore, Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
In Milwaukee County, the fund provided $406,480 for Bender Park, $194,000 for Whitnall Park Nature Center and more than $150,000 for bicycle trails.
In Waukesha County, it has provided $120,000 for McMiller Sportsmen’s Center and more than $150,000 for the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit.
The fund also plays a substantial role in the critical outdoor recreation economy, which in Wisconsin generates $11.9 billion annually and supports 142,000 jobs, according to federal officials.
Jewell said every $1 invested by the fund returns $4 to communities.
Current law authorizes the LWCF for $900 million annually, although only a fraction is typically appropriated.
“(The fund) is good for wildlife, it’s good for recreation, it’s good for the economy,” Jewell said. “Congress has the opportunity to continue this great legacy by permanently reauthorizing and fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”
Antlerless permits on sale: Bonus antlerless deer tags will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. Monday . Antlerless tags will be sold at a rate of one per person per day. Sales will continue until sold out or until the 2015 deer hunting season ends.
Tags are sold by deer management zone and are specific to public or private property. Twelve counties, in part or in whole, have no antlerless permits available.
For a list of units and available tags, search the Department of Natural Resources website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords “bonus availability.” Tags will be available for purchase through the Online Licensing Center and at DNR license sales locations.
The antlerless permits will be sold by management zone beginning at 10 a.m. on the following dates: Monday for Northern and Central Forest Zones; Tuesday for the Central Farmland Zone; Wednesday for the Southern Farmland Zone; and Thursday all remaining permits in all zones will be available.
GMF funds outdoor programs: As part of its centennial Gifts to the Community, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation on Saturday will provide free access and special programming at several nature and education sites in southeastern Wisconsin.
The events will be held at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee (all three branches), Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside, Mequon Nature Preserve in Mequon and Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville.
“Our partners for the August Gift to the Community all foster appreciation for our environment and community in distinct ways,” said Ellen Gilligan, president and CEO of the foundation. “The possibilities for fun and discovery on (Saturday) are vast and will hopefully inspire our guests to learn more about the wonders of the living world around us.”
In its Gifts to the Community program, the foundation celebrates “some of the region’s greatest assets” and provides free access for the public.
All programs run from 9 a.m. to at least 3 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.greatermilwaukeefoundation. for more information.
North Lake launch hearing: A public hearing will be held Wednesday on a proposal to build a public boat launch and access at North Lake in Waukesha County.
The application for the project was submitted by North Lake Management District and North Lake Development Group, LLP.
The groups propose to construct a public boat launch on the northeast corner of the lake off Highway 83 on the former Kuchler and Corey Oil properties.
To learn more about the proposal, visit the DNR’s permit tracking website at permits.dnr.wi.gov/water/ SitePages/Permit%
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Merton Town Hall, W314 N7624 Hwy. 83.
Written comments may be submitted through Aug. 29 by email to Geri.Radermacher@ or mail to Geri Radermacher, 141 NW Barstow St., Room 180, Waukesha, WI 53188.
Comments should include the docket number (IPSEor applicant name.