In a huge bipartisan victory for the local environment, the U.S. Senate has passed the Natural Resources Management Act, which includes reauthorization of the landmark Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Act now moves on to the House of Representatives.
LWCF uses fees imposed on offshore oil and gas drilling leases to fund environmental conservation. Here in our region, it has been instrumental in funding conservation efforts in the highlands region. Since 2007, $17 million has been invested to protect 1,500 acres.
HVA’s Land Conservation Director, Tim Abbot, quoted in this article in the News-Times.