We thank Congressman Dave Reichert, R-8th, for his support of full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Backcountry Horsemen are supportive of the LWCF and we urge Congressman Reichert to vote for legislation that fully funds the LWCF next time the issue comes before him.

Rep. Reichert supports the goal of appropriating $900 million – generated by offshore oil and gas leases – to fully fund the LWCF. Now, it’s up to Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to vote yes for legislation in the Senate that fully funds the LWCF. LWCF grants have paid for several important projects here in our community, such as Flaming Geyser and the Green River Gorge, as well as projects that have come to define Washington: Snoqualmie National Forest, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Mount Rainier National Park and the North Cascades National Park.

The LWCF, created by Congress 45 years ago to protect parks, rivers and open space, has been chronically underfunded since its creation – until now. The U.S. House of Representatives approved fully funding the LWCF. Now it’s the Senate’s turn to give this visionary program its due.

Joan Burlingame

Public lands representative

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington

Ravensdale