Last Minute Action to Reauthorize LWCF and state grants passes key House Committee

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The following summary provided by Lewis Ledford NASPD Exec. Dir. summarizes House action on the reauthorization of LWCF.  It contains almost everything NASORLO has asked for.. and is a compromise with promise to resolve state and territorial issues related to this matter.  It may impact GOMESA to a degree, but NASORLO feels it is a amendment that deserves our support at this time.  Hurdles and issues remain, because this is just coming out of Committee and is not similar to proposals in the Senate and must get total House support…. but.. a bi-partisan supported bill from the Chair and his Democratic counterpoint in this powerful committee has a chance to pass and go on to the Senate.

Here are the basic elements of the compromise as I understand them DKE

It guarantees the states will receive 40% of the Allocations ( no % guaranteed now ).  It also amends GOMESA to allocate 40% of our guaranteed – off budget – share for federal uses.  It permanently authorizes LWCF.  It does not fully fund the program ( Fully funding is $ 900 million.. FY 18 funding was at $ 435 million ), this means we will be in an annual process of advocacy for LWCF funding..but..both federal and state proponents will benefit, increasing the effort.  And finally, but not least, it gives territories and DC, an equal status on the annual division of the first 40% of the State Assistance Allocation.  Basically, the states are giving up some of GOMESA to achieve two of our main objectives.  Equity for the distribution of LWCF and equity for territories.  We have drafted a letter to be delivered next week.. attached which states our position.

As in legislation in the past, Committee staff will play a big role if a conference committee is in the LWCF future, so President Imgrund and past President Moerschel will be in DC next week supporting the state positions with visits to key staff and materials to distribute.. keep checking the website for updates ( daily if necessary ).

Example.. to understand the amendment compared to the current allocations..

In FY 19.. if funded with this amendment and at the FY 18 levels.. Total FY 18 level is 435 million, 40% = $ 170 million ( as opposed to $ 124 million now ).  GOMESA is estimated to be 86 million and our share would be reduced to 60% = $ 51.6 million. Total would equal $ 221.6 million as compared to $ 210 million – which is our current estimate.  However, at full $ 900 million LWCF funding and $ 125 million GOMESA.. states would get a total of $ 435 million as compared to an estimated $ 350 from the current distribution.  A net plus.. for us.  It also should be noted each state allocation is estimated to be about $ 75,000 less due to expanding an equal share of the LWCF State program added to the new amendment.. ( equity for the territories and DC is consistent with our position and message )

Here is the summary of the amendment sent in an email from Lewis Ledford to NASPD members.

In an unexpected and unusual move, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee marked up the LWCF bill on Thursday.  Multiple attempts were made to reduce/redirect the funding for LWCF without success.  The deferred maintenance bill for the NPS (HR 6520) and other related bills were also acted upon.
The LWCF actions were a pleasant surprise, indeed.  I watched most of the hearing online, especially the LWCF portion. True to previous conversations with him, Chairman Bishop, UT, strongly defended the stateside funding.   It sets a 40/40/20 division to its funds  —  a huge achievement for our stateside position!   It was also great to hear the  lack of opposition to it being given permanent status!  Chairman Bishop stood true to the compromise agreement that he had worked out with Ranking Member Rep. Grijalva, AZ.

As referenced in the report I shared in Sedona last week, H.R. 502 would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  H.R. 6771, the Domestic Offshore Energy Reinvestment Act of 2018, amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.

More details are included in the report from Greenwire on our website regarding the Committee’s actions:   www.stateparks.org/3322-2/ .  Here is the press release from the House Committee on Natural Resources (includes links to the specific bills)  https://naturalresources.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405726

There remains much more to do in support of the Senate and House to reauthorize LWCF before it expires in 17 days.  Nonetheless, it was a very positive day for LWCF.  Congrats to all that could benefit from Stateside … for generations!

PS.  On another topic, given the discussion regarding the state outdoor recreation offices last week at the conference, also posted on our website is a link www.stateparks.org/3318-2/ to a July study by the NPS and Utah State University.   It  discusses “opportunities for synergy between state offices of outdoor recreation and federal land-management agencies, the outdoor recreation industry, non-governmental organizations, and local outdoor recreation providers.”
It should also be noted these changes include giving territories an equal share of the first 60% of LWCF, where in the past all the territories and DC got one share.. NASORLO supports this position, also.
THESE ACTIONS UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR MEETING NEXT MONTH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AS WE WILL GET THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE MEANING OF THESE BILLS AND THE FACT THEY MAY STILL BE ACTIVE THROUGH A LAME DUCK SESSION IN LATE NOVEMBER.