Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Richard Burr (R-NC) today applauded the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and the Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), on their announcement of an agreement on a bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This bill would ensure LWCF can fully realize its promise to conserve parks, open spaces, and wildlife habitat for the benefit of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a crucial tool that has helped preserve dozens of high-priority landscapes across Colorado," Bennet said. "From building city parks in Denver to conserving parcels of land high in the San Juan Mountains to providing access to our sportsmen, LWCF has helped boost Colorado's tourism and outdoor recreation economy. We're glad to see Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell included permanent reauthorization of LWCF in their comprehensive energy bill, which we've been fighting for. We look forward to helping them move this proposal forward."

"For years, I have been fighting for LWCF and its promise to conserve America's scenic treasures for future generations. This is dollar-for-dollar the best conservation program our nation has - it does not use tax payer money or add to our debt but it does have a huge impact on maintaining North Carolina's reputation as one of the most scenic and unique states in the country," said Burr. "I hope my colleagues will take up this effort and ensure that LWCF will be permanently reauthorized, without fear that it will be put into jeopardy on a yearly basis."

Senators Bennet, Burr, and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in February. Instead of using tax payers money, LWCF is funded by a small portion of the billions of dollars in annual oil and gas royalties gained from exploration on federally owned land and water. LWCF is an investment in the future of our nation's scenic treasures and does not add to the nation's debt.

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