Press Releases

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) voted to pass the Great American Outdoors Act, one of Congress’ most significant investments in environmental conservation in a generation.

The bill – originally introduced by Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) – fully funds the successful and popular Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually, well above its yearly average funding level, and creates the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, which will provide funding to the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Education to fix buildings, trails, roads and other public infrastructure in need of repair for the next five years.

“The Great American Outdoors Act is truly a game-changing investment in environmental conservation. This bill is a downpayment for our children, our environment, and our quality of life,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “As is reflected in the broad, bipartisan support of the bill, members from across the political spectrum recognize the importance of preserving our natural heritage and combating climate change for future generations. I’m pleased to be a cosponsor of this historic bill and to cast my vote today in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act. I am excited to see the impact it makes in Delaware and across the country.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund, often referred to as LWCF, is used each year to enhance and establish local, state and national preservation areas. LWCF funds everything from local playgrounds to national park expansions and is one of the country’s most popular conservation programs.

Protecting public lands and preserving natural wildlife habitats is now more important than ever. Temperatures have increased about 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and the United Nations recently found that human activities threaten 1 million plants and animals with extinction.

An expanded LWCF will, among other things, mean more opportunities to preserve green spaces in currently low income and park-poor communities. The Great American Outdoors Act advances environmental justice by giving community planners more resources to improve outdoor access for underserved children and families unaccustomed to outdoor activities.

LWCF Success in Delaware 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has provided funding to help protect some of Delaware’s most special places and ensure recreational access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Delaware has received approximately $64.4 million in LWCF funding over the past five decades, protecting places such as the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Forest Legacy Program (FLP) grants are also funded under LWCF, to help protect working forests. The FLP cost-share funding supports timber sector jobs and sustainable forest operations while enhancing wildlife habitat, water quality and recreation. For example, the FLP contributed to places such as the Green Horizons forest in Sussex County. The FLP assists states and private forest owners to maintain working forest lands through matching grants for permanent conservation easement and fee acquisitions, and has leveraged approximately $15 million in federal funds to invest in Delaware’s forests, while protecting air and water quality, wildlife habitat, access for recreation and other public benefits provided by forests. 

LWCF state assistance grants have further supported hundreds of projects across Delaware’s state and local parks including Brandywine Creek and Fox Point State Parks.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Delaware economy The Outdoor Industry Association has found that active outdoor recreation generates $3.1 billion in consumer spending in Delaware, 29,000 jobs which generate $959 million in wages and salaries, and produces $145 million annually in state and local tax revenue. Further, the U S Census reports that each year 460,000 people hunt, fish, or enjoy wildlife watching in Delaware, contributing $304 million in wildlife recreation spending to the state economy.

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