U.S. Senate Supports Funding for LWCF and Deferred Maintenance

In Response to Today’s Senate Movement to Fully Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Address Public Lands Deferred Maintenance Needs

Statement from Brendan Mysliwiec, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Director of Federal Policy and Legislation

“We are excited to see the Senate’s upcoming vote on legislation to address a significant portion of America’s $20 billion in public lands deferred maintenance needs and ensure full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. If passed, this bill would provide much-needed support for outdoor recreation, clean water protection and rural economic development. We hope the bill will be able to include all federal land management agencies. If not, we will urge the House of Representatives to include the other Interior agencies and the U.S. Forest Service in order to fully support the entirety of the Appalachian Trail and the National Trails System.

We want to thank U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Joe Manchin, and Cosponsors Mark Warner, Cory Gardner and Steve Daines for their work in bringing this bill to the Senate floor. We look forward to working with leadership and the House Committee on Natural Resources to make sure all of our public lands are cared for.”

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. A unit of the National Park System, the A.T. ranges from Maine to Georgia and is 2,193 miles in length. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. The mission of the ATC is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information, please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Media Contact: Jordan Bowman
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: 304.885.0794
Email: jbowman@appalachiantrail.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ATHike
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org

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