HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4032

BYRepresentatives K. Wilson,  Bumgarner, Spanel, Beck, Belcher, Basich, Sayan, Meyers, Sutherland andP. King 

Requesting increase in Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriation.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Basich, Beck, Belcher, Butterfield, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established in 1965 to help federal, state, and local governments acquire, develop, and renovate outdoor recreation areas and facilities.  The fund receives money primarily from offshore oil leases.  The fund is currently administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

In 1977, Congress authorized a minimum balance of $900 million per year for a period of twelve years through 1989 when the fund is scheduled to terminate.  Though Congress authorized this minimum balance, it has never appropriated this level of funding.

Funds are appropriated to federal agencies and the states.  The states' share of each year's appropriation has declined from $369.8 million in 1979 to $32.7 million in 1987.  Washington's share in 1979 was $6.2 million, and in 1987, it was $600,000.

The State of Washington administers its share of LWCF funds through the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation and these funds are distributed both to state agencies and local governments.

The program is scheduled to terminate in 1989, however, legislation has been introduced in Congress to continue the program beyond 1989.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Legislature requests that the President and Congress of the United States appropriate $200 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund during 1988 for use by state and local governments to acquire, renovate, and develop needed recreational areas and facilities.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bob Wilder, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation; Cleve Pinnix, Parks and Recreation Commission; and Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a needed stimulus for local government funding of the recreation needs of the citizens of this state.  Many of the earlier funding sources for recreational needs have disappeared.  This matching program is vitally necessary to meet the growing demand for recreation facilities and areas.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.