The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: In Response to Senate Movement to Fully Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Address Public Lands Deferred Maintenance Needs

The following is a statement from Brendan Mysliwiec, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Director of Federal Policy and Legislation, published on March 4th:

“We are excited to see the Senate’s upcoming vote on legislation to address a significant portion of America’s $20 billion in public lands deferred maintenance needs and ensure full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. If passed, this bill would provide much-needed support for outdoor recreation, clean water protection and rural economic development. We hope the bill will be able to include all federal land management agencies. If not, we will urge the House of Representatives to include the other Interior agencies and the U.S. Forest Service in order to fully support the entirety of the Appalachian Trail and the National Trails System.

We want to thank U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Joe Manchin, and Cosponsors Mark Warner, Cory Gardner and Steve Daines for their work in bringing this bill to the Senate floor. We look forward to working with leadership and the House Committee on Natural Resources to make sure all of our public lands are cared for.”