Let Congress know you back conservation fund

Charlie Walbridge, Friends of the Cheat, Bruceton Mills
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, established in 1964, has been a vital tool for protecting public parks and land in West Virginia. Over the past 53 years, the fund contributed to nearly 500 projects in 54 of 55 West Virginia counties.
The $240 million total includes $2.4 million for hunting, fishing and wildlife projects, $8 million for West Virginia state parks and forests, and over $30 million for city and county parks.
It includes famous places like Seneca Rocks, the New and Gauley River Gorges, Cheat Canyon, and Blackwater Falls state parks as well as city pools, neighborhood, playgrounds, trails, campgrounds, ball fields and fish hatcheries. Investing in ourselves and our communities sounds like a no-brainer.
The money comes from a portion of the royalties from oil and gas leasing, so no actual tax dollars are used. But anti-park forces are fighting reauthorization. The fund will sunset on Sept. 30 unless Congress acts. Millions of dollars earmarked for conservation and recreation projects across the country will be lost.
If you love West Virginia outdoors, now is the time to contact your senators and representatives to support permanent reauthorization.