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Bill > HR4151

US HR4151

US HR4151
To amend chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide for the use of such funds, and for other purposes.

summary

Introduced
12/01/2015
In Committee
12/18/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017

Introduced Session

114th Congress

Bill Summary

To amend chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide for the use of such funds, and for other purposes. This bill makes permanent the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Of the appropriations from the LWCF: (1) at least 40% shall be used collectively for federal purposes for certain land and water acquisitions (as currently); (2) at least 40% shall be used collectively to provide financial assistance to states for LWCF purposes and for outdoor recreation, for the Forest Legacy Program, for cooperative endangered species grants, and for the American Battlefield Protection Program; and (3) at least 1.5% or $10 million, whichever is greater, shall be used for projects that secure recreational public access to federal public land for hunting, fishing, or other recreational purposes. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall consider the acquisition of conservation easements and other similar interests in land where it is appropriate and feasible, taking specified considerations into account. The bill establishes a National Park Service Critical Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund in the Treasury for the deposit of specified amounts from revenues due and payable to the United States under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amounts deposited in the Fund shall: (1) be used only for the high priority deferred maintenance needs of the National Park Service that support critical infrastructure and visitor services, and (2) be available for expenditure only after amounts are appropriated for such purposes. Amounts in the Fund shall not be used for acquiring land.

AI Summary

This bill makes permanent the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program that funds conservation and recreation projects, by removing previous expiration dates. It mandates that at least 40% of LWCF funds be used for federal land and water acquisitions, and at least another 40% be allocated to states for LWCF purposes, outdoor recreation, the Forest Legacy Program (which supports private forest landowners), cooperative endangered species grants, and the American Battlefield Protection Program. Additionally, a minimum of 1.5% or $10 million, whichever is greater, must be dedicated to projects that improve public access for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities on federal lands. The bill also directs the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to consider acquiring conservation easements, which are legal agreements that restrict land use to protect conservation values, when appropriate, taking into account factors like management efficiency, cost savings, geographic distribution, and the significance and urgency of the acquisition. Furthermore, it establishes a new National Park Service Critical Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund, which will receive $150 million annually from revenues generated under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, specifically for addressing high-priority deferred maintenance needs within the National Park Service that support critical infrastructure and visitor services, though these funds cannot be used for land acquisition.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

Sponsors (21)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. (on 12/18/2015)
(1 Companion Bills)

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