DC Visit and Information from June 2017

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NASORLO Members.. ( June 15th, 2017 ) Here is an update on last weeks meetings in Washington DC and what we need to do over the next few months related to advocacy for the State Assistance Program of the LWCF.

The Admin. Budget will have a downward impact on all Interior Approps.

The fact the Admin. substituted GOMESA funding for LWCF regular funding for State Assistance will be an issue in getting an appropriation for us.

We need to clarify and explain what GOMESA is and that it is only a supplement to LWCF.

Grass roots contact with and advocacy for LWCF State Assistance is essential to maintain a decent level of funding for LWCF.  NRPA Park Champions is a good model.

House Members need to hear directly about LWCF and the State Assistance Program.

We have Friends in Congress..but we need to ramp up our advocacy and information about the benefits and needs for State Assistance.

We need to emphasize the use of LWCF State Assistance for infrastructure improvements.

We need to continue to stay in contact with Congress and staff… and provide as much information as we can.  Plus be prepared to react to questions and new ideas related to LWCF and it’s funding…

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Here are President Imgrund’s assessment of the meetings held in DC last week and a followup describing what issues we want Interior and the Park Service to work on ASAP.. fyi

Key take-aways are:

·       Need to ask for $110M in discretionary PLUS the mandatory GOMESA funds

·       Need better, clear talking points on GOMESA – there is a clear threat on this issue due to administration’s budget proposal and other budgetary pressures

·       We should frame our needs as infrastructure

·       We need to meet with the Outdoor Industry Association

·       Need to demonstrate that states will spend money well

·       Republican House Members need to hear from their constituents on LWCF

o   Work with NRPA on Park Champion campaign to get the word out.

·       RE-authorization is likely but probably not anytime soon

·       Dept of Interior

o   Need to educate leadership on the program

o   We brought up the apportionment and ORLP at every meeting in Congress and with Devitto who did reach out to Joel.

o   The Administration wants more energy development on public lands and linked additional revenue for programs to this.

·       NPS:

o   Need specific examples of regional office differences and in-consistencies within offices; can we demonstrate patterns

o   Pressure is needed to get ORLP released, all grants released and the apportionment – to Congress and DOI leadership

o   Reinbold – staff re-organization is the key to improve the program – it is moving in fits and starts – they appreciate our patience. Need DOI and NPS leadership support to make changes and may seek our help with this.                         

 

Here are our follow Up comments to Interior..

Thank you very much for meeting with us this week on LWCF. We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with an update on Department of Interior priorities. As we discussed, we are seeking permanent re-authorization of the program, along with at least $110 million in discretionary funds for the state assistance program in FY 2018. We also seek to work cooperatively with NPS on program improvements with an eye towards modernization to improve program efficiency and effectiveness.

I did want to bring to your attention that states are currently awaiting NPS/DOI action on:

·        Announcement of grants from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership.  These are LWCF grants that compete on a national level for priorities in urban areas.  This program was announced in March 2016 and applications have been pending since May 2016.  Attached please find a letter we sent in January inquiring as to the status of these grants along with a response from NPS.  We would appreciate anything you could do to request DOI to expedite the release of these funds.

·        Approval of pending LWCF grants of over $100,000.  It is our understanding that DOI is reviewing all grants of over $100,000.  We have many communities awaiting the final approval of these grants and again we would appreciate anything you could do request DOI to expedite the release of these funds.

·        FY 2017 Apportionment.  Each year, after Congress appropriates funds NPS provides states with a statement on the funds available.  These funds are apportioned on a formula basis, but it seems to take a long time to provide the details to that states. We would appreciate anything you could do to expedite this process.