Veterans benefit from protecting our public lands
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program that every American should be able to support wholeheartedly. These dedicated funds exist outside of general taxpayer dollars and go to supporting public lands and open spaces, ensuring that Americans have the ability to hike, fish and enjoy the outdoors for generations to come. The funding comes from taxes paid by oil companies on offshore drilling projects, ensuring that we can make these improvements without relying on individual taxpayers.
The kinds of programs that LWCF supports are critical to veterans like me who have returned from the war zone. As veterans return home that transition can be extremely difficult. Many of my fellow servicemen and servicewomen benefit from finding purpose and solitude in America’s great public lands. LWCF funding will help to create more opportunities for getting men and women who have served our nation into the outdoors.
This funding for LWCF has already gained something that is increasingly rare in our country — bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. A bill with co-sponsors from both parties to establish permanent funding for LWCF has been introduced. Currently, even though the money has been set aside by the federal government for these purposes, it must still be appropriated every year as part of our country’s increasingly contentious spending packages. The bipartisan Senate bill would mean that we no longer have to fight for this funding year after year.
For now those fights are reality. Even though there is more than $900 million raised each year from taxes on offshore drilling, only $435 million is being appropriated for LWCF projects. It is my hope that with Democrats in control of the House of Representatives and the appropriations process, that they will see that there is no downside to providing additional money for LWCF. The work that gets done with these funds has a tremendous impact on our communities and quality of life.
Congress has a chance to get an easy win and make real progress on protecting our public lands and creating opportunities for Americans to get outdoors. And all of this can be done without raising taxes or creating more partisan conflict.
Sixth District Rep. Derek Kilmer has a massive role to play in this process. As a member of the Appropriations Committee he can make a meaningful impact on investing in programs that benefit public lands and waters. Increasing the funding is an easy step that Rep. Kilmer should lead the way on.
I am proud to have served in the Northern Arabian Gulf and I am incredibly thankful for all of the benefits our national parks offer. I ask Rep. Kilmer for his support to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation fund to ensure veterans like me, their families, and all Americans continue to have access to our sacred lands.
By: Larry Bogues
Source: Kitsap Sun