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A new report from the Center for Western Priorities lays out a bold vision for the future of conservation funding and land management across the United States. The report proposes establishing a Conservation Trust Fund in order to reduce the maintenance backlog at government land management agencies, which has been caused by inadequate funding. Not only do agencies have massive backlogs, but agencies within the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture face increasing challenges in the years ahead, including climate change, development, and increasing visitation.
The proposed Conservation Trust Fund would channel diverse funding streams that could augment general fund appropriations. Some of those funding options include increasing rent and royalties on hardrock mining and oil, gas, coal, and renewable energy production; instituting a small tax on outdoor recreation equipment; and using a portion of revenue from sports gambling and legal marijuana sales.
Such a trust fund would certainly help with many funding issues, but would not eliminate the need for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The program, which relies on proceeds from offshore oil and gas drilling rather than taxpayer dollars, funds grants for states to preserve and maintain parks, cultural sites, forests and recreation areas. Although LWCF was permanently authorized earlier this year, it is subject to the congressional appropriations process and has historically been underfunded.
A dive into the role that public lands could play in the 2020 election
In the latest episode of Go West, Young Podcast, pollster Brian Gottlieb and Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala take a deep dive into CWP’s Winning the West poll to find out what Western voters want to hear from candidates in the 2020 election.
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