TRCP Critical of Proposed Cuts for Resource Management

TRCP photo

Proposed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives “would dramatically reduce critical resource programs and sharply curtail federal agencies abilities to responsibly manage public resources and outdoor opportunities,” according to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP.

 “This misguided action by the House not only would roll back investments in conservation spending,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. “It also undermines the foundation of our nation’s conservation policy. The bill wages a full-frontal assault on basic natural resources management measures that will cost us money and jobs, both in the near and long term.”

TRCP provides the following “lowlights” of cuts included in the bill: 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budget cut by $317 million
• BLM operations and maintenance cut by $39.6 million
• North American Wetlands Conservation Act cut by $13 million
• EPA budget cut by 17 percent
• Land and Water Conservation Fund reduced by 80 percent 
• State and tribal wildlife grants cut by $30 million
• Chesapeake Bay restoration funding cut by $7 million

 Read the full story here.

By the way, the proposed cut for EPA is regrettable, but certainly understandable, considering its abuse of power during this administration. Remember the Sacketts? Or how about the official who resigned after comparing his enforcement strategy to Roman crucifixion?

Congress Urged to Consider Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation

TRCP photo by Dusan Smetana

An impressive 1,000 groups and businesses have joined in urging Congress to consider the huge economic impacts of outdoor recreation and historic preservation as it makes fiscal decisions.

Here is what the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) reports about the actions of the recently formed America’s Voice for Conservation, Recreation and Preservation (AVCRP):

“Congress is currently determining federal funding of conservation, recreation and preservation programs in the bicameral, bipartisan “Super Committee” as well as in fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills.

“AVCRP is a national coalition of organizations and businesses representing tens of millions of citizens with diverse political backgrounds and areas of interest.

“AVCRP members are united in a shared understanding that federal investments in natural resource conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation programs are vital to the future of our great nation. The 1,000 supporting entities signed a letter urging Congressional leaders to sustain the federal funds that are critical to the American way of life.”

That urging comes with some convincing evidence, as provided by Southwick & Associates in “The Economics Associated with Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources Conservation and Historic Preservation in the United States.”

Here’s an excerpt from Southwick:

“In 2006, the total contribution from outdoor sports in the United States was nearly $730 billion per year, generating more than 6.4 million U.S. jobs and $99 billion in federal and state tax revenues. This includes hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other outdoor sports that include hiking, camping, skiing, paddle sports and bicycling.”

Read more about TRCP, AVCRP, and conservation funding here.