What Is The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)?
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was part of an act created by Congress in 1964 and it operates through the United States Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the act is to provide federal funds to state and local governments to purchase lands and waters for the benefit of the American public. This allows the government to preserve wildlife and wetlands, protect certain historical sites, and obtain land and water for public use. In essence, most of the national and state parks are appropriated in this way. The Land and Water Conservation Fund allows for various lands and waterways to be purchased at fair market price by state and local governments. The funds provided are then used to establish and maintain various parks for the public to use throughout the year. The fund is vital to the conservation of public parks and recreational facilities. Without the Land and Water Conservation Fund clean waters and state parks might never have existed. It is important for this fund to continue in spite of the many budget cuts that are being introduced into Congress. These funds must be protected so future generations can enjoy the beauty and majesty national parks can offer.