<[link removed]> The 2022 midterm elections are upon us. By the writing of next month’s newsletter, we’ll know which party controls which chamber, and have a clearer picture of which direction the legislative outlook is going to swing. Recent polling shows the Republicans well poised to take back the House, but the Senate is still anyone’s guess. The balance of power will depend on a few key races; among them Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. After five straight weeks of a Democrat lead, Republicans are now more likely to say they are “extremely” or “very” enthusiastic about voting in the midterm elections <[link removed]> . Will that enthusiasm hold on election day? We’ll all find out soon enough. It's been nonstop for many out on the campaign trail, but with everyone back in their home state for the recess, it’s been quiet on Capitol Hill. With one of our team members out traversing the Midwest and mountain states in search of pheasants and ducks, and another spending time in beautiful Maine, we are certainly taking advantage of the lull to log some outdoor time while working remotely. One of the highlights for us of this past month was the launch of our new webpage <[link removed]> and report, Land Water Conservation Fund: A State-by-State Outlook; Implications from Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Policies <[link removed]> . Established in 1964, the Land Water Conservation Fund’s (LWCF) main source of project funding is from offshore oil and gas revenues. Annually the fund receives nearly $900 million and is responsible for significant funding and support of America’s national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, historic sites, local community projects, and other outdoor space and public works. Our research <[link removed]> details more than 2,000 LWCF-funded projects, going back to 2016, by state and congressional district. In addition, a new interactive map <[link removed]> shows every LWCF project, including funding levels, project descriptions, and comparative funding data with other states. This work highlights the Fund’s overall benefits and provides insight into the type of projects that will be at risk without LWCF funding. This month we were also pleased to welcome Congressman Garret Graves of Louisiana’s 6th District to the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. Rep. Graves sits on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, and the Select Committee on Climate. We know the Congressman will make an excellent addition to the caucus, and we are happy to have him on board. That’s it for us this month. Don’t forget, we’d love to see what you all are up to during your outdoor recreation adventures, so when you post your photos to Facebook, be sure to tag us (@conservamerica). And please remember to VOTE <[link removed]> on Tuesday, November 8! October Highlights <[link removed]> ConservAmerica Files Amicus Brief Supporting Challenges to California Waiver <[link removed]> ConservAmerica has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of litigation challenging federal and state efforts that effectively ban gasoline and diesel vehicles. To provide for uniform, national vehicle emissions standards, when Congress passed the Clean Air Act (CAA), it restricted states from adopting their own emission requirements; however, a provision written into the law allowed California to apply for a waiver of federal preemption to address its unique air pollution problems. If a waiver is approved, the CAA allows other states to adopt California’s standards. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Clean Water Act Marks 50 Years <[link removed]> October marked the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the foundational law that governs our nation’s waters. Since 1972, the CWA has played an essential role in protecting the chemical, physical, and biological health of the country’s waterways. While the CWA has helped achieved significant milestones in improving water quality, over the years, the courts and federal agencies have interpreted the statute in ways that make its scope and application unclear. Like many other permitting issues <[link removed]> , many of the projects that fall under CWA are mired in regulatory uncertainty. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> ConservAmerica Submits Letter in Support of Revolution Wind <[link removed]> ConservAmerica President submitted a letter on October 17 to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in support of Revolution Wind, an offshore wind farm that will provide electricity to Connecticut and Rhode Island. Revolution Wind will deliver over 700MW of electricity, enough to power 350,000 homes. Not only will the project help to satisfy the country’s growing demand for electricity, it will also help both Connecticut and Rhode Island to meet their clean energy goals. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> We Have a Winner! <[link removed]> The votes are in, and we have a winner for Fat Bear Week 2022 - a BIG congratulations to two-time champ 747! Fat Bear Week, started in 2014, is a celebration of success and survival at Katmai National and Preserve in Alaska. Bears at Katmai spend all summer long feasting on salmon, fattening themselves up to survive a long Alaskan winter in hibernation. During hibernation, these bears may lose up to a third of their body weight, so every salmon counts. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> New Report Highlights State Benefits Of The Land and Water Conservation Fund <[link removed]> ConservAmerica is pleased to announce the release of our new webpage <[link removed]> and report, Land Water Conservation Fund: A State-by-State Outlook; Implications from Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Policies <[link removed]> . ConservAmerica’s report comes as the Department of Interior continues to deliberate on the 2023-2028 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Program. Many lawmakers and NGOs are calling for a ban or restrictions on offshore leasing, which, if implemented, would have serious implications for future funding of conservation and recreational projects in the U.S. Read More <[link removed]> Parting Shot As is our custom here at the ConservAmerica newsletter, we’ll leave you with a parting shot from our adventures. These pheasants were taken by one of our team members recently in Tulare, South Dakota. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. With your help, we can continue to provide leadership on environmental and conservation issues based on the principles of respect for free markets, property rights, and personal responsibility. Donate <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Follow us! ConservAmerica, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC, United States Unsubscribe <[link removed]>