Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die

[ScienceRocks]

Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die
by Joan McCarter
Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die

• 
  
• 78 Comments / 78 New

Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
One of the most successful conservation programs in modern history—the Land and Water Conservation Fund—died Thursday when the Republican House refused to extend it, giving the Koch brothers a win.
Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program—and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress. Instead, lawmakers will be dickering over how to divvy up former LWCF appropriations, which will now be going into the general treasury.
Earlier this summer, dozens of representatives on both sides of the aisle had signed a letter in support of the perpetually underfunded program, which has conserved more than seven million acres so far. LWCF purchases wildlife habitat, buys private inholdings within wildernesses and national parks, preserves cultural heritage sites, provides public access for fishing and hunting, and pays for urban parks, playgrounds and ballfields. (The Center for Western Priorities created an interactive map showing how LWCF has made national parks whole by paying to buy inholdings from private landowners.) And if put to a straight-up vote, reauthorization would pass both the House and Senate with bipartisan majorities.

But action on LWCF was derailed by far-right opposition, led by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, House Natural Resources chairman, reflecting the anti-public-land and anti-federal sentiments afoot in some quarters of the West. Bishop is floating his own reforms to the program, which include redirecting most of the money to state and local projects (in the 1970s, Congress removed a requirement that states get 60 percent of LWCF funding).

Here's just some of what this program has accomplished since being created in 1964—all without any taxpayer money. It "pumped almost $17 billion into federal, state, and local parks. It has protected more than 500 million acres of land, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to dramatic basalt cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The program also paid for almost two-thirds of the Appalachian Trail." It funded nearly 90 percent of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Again, without any taxpayer funding being spent. The fund is payed for by revenues paid by oil and gas companies drilling offshore in waters owned by the American people.
Bishop calls those who fought to preserve the LWCF (including Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zink of Montana) "special interests that seek to hijack LWCF to continue to expand the federal estate and divert even more monies away from localities." Make no mistake, this is part of furthering the Koch agenda to end the creation of new national parks and to undermine public ownership of any land that might, just might, have extractable resources under it.

Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell offered this statement.

After 50 years of resounding success in enriching America's great outdoors, the Land and Water Conservation Fund needlessly faces an uncertain future. I am extremely disappointed that, despite overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress has allowed this innovative and effective program to expire. As a result, America's national parks are now at a higher risk of private development within their borders, we will have fewer tools to protect access to hunting and fishing spots, and local parks and open space projects in all 50 states may face delays or cancellation in the year ahead.

The far right in this country want to pollute our rivers and destroy our environment. We must defend our national parks and wild life or we face extinction. period.

Turing America into a polluted mess like China is disgusting. This is what unregulated corporations have done.

 

[Ernie S.]

Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die
by Joan McCarter
Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die

• 
  
• 78 Comments / 78 New

Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
One of the most successful conservation programs in modern history—the Land and Water Conservation Fund—died Thursday when the Republican House refused to extend it, giving the Koch brothers a win.
Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program—and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress. Instead, lawmakers will be dickering over how to divvy up former LWCF appropriations, which will now be going into the general treasury.
Earlier this summer, dozens of representatives on both sides of the aisle had signed a letter in support of the perpetually underfunded program, which has conserved more than seven million acres so far. LWCF purchases wildlife habitat, buys private inholdings within wildernesses and national parks, preserves cultural heritage sites, provides public access for fishing and hunting, and pays for urban parks, playgrounds and ballfields. (The Center for Western Priorities created an interactive map showing how LWCF has made national parks whole by paying to buy inholdings from private landowners.) And if put to a straight-up vote, reauthorization would pass both the House and Senate with bipartisan majorities.

But action on LWCF was derailed by far-right opposition, led by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, House Natural Resources chairman, reflecting the anti-public-land and anti-federal sentiments afoot in some quarters of the West. Bishop is floating his own reforms to the program, which include redirecting most of the money to state and local projects (in the 1970s, Congress removed a requirement that states get 60 percent of LWCF funding).

Here's just some of what this program has accomplished since being created in 1964—all without any taxpayer money. It "pumped almost $17 billion into federal, state, and local parks. It has protected more than 500 million acres of land, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to dramatic basalt cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The program also paid for almost two-thirds of the Appalachian Trail." It funded nearly 90 percent of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Again, without any taxpayer funding being spent. The fund is payed for by revenues paid by oil and gas companies drilling offshore in waters owned by the American people.
Bishop calls those who fought to preserve the LWCF (including Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zink of Montana) "special interests that seek to hijack LWCF to continue to expand the federal estate and divert even more monies away from localities." Make no mistake, this is part of furthering the Koch agenda to end the creation of new national parks and to undermine public ownership of any land that might, just might, have extractable resources under it.

Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell offered this statement.

After 50 years of resounding success in enriching America's great outdoors, the Land and Water Conservation Fund needlessly faces an uncertain future. I am extremely disappointed that, despite overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress has allowed this innovative and effective program to expire. As a result, America's national parks are now at a higher risk of private development within their borders, we will have fewer tools to protect access to hunting and fishing spots, and local parks and open space projects in all 50 states may face delays or cancellation in the year ahead.

The far right in this country want to pollute our rivers and destroy our environment. We must defend our national parks and wild life or we face extinction. period.

Turing America into a polluted mess like China is disgusting. This is what unregulated corporations have done.

How about we pay for it with the money NASA is waisting on climate "science"?
Or lower the threshold for EITC or disallow everything but food from EBT cards. How about we put prisoners to work sub-contracting assembly work from corporations? How about we replace unskilled public sector workers with welfare recipients?
How about we outlaw collective bargaining for public sector labor?

 

[eagle1462010]

What earmarks were attached like leeches to the bill?

 

[Ernie S.]

The fund was renewed periodically for 50 years. HR 1814 would have made it permanent. Do you suppose that may have effected the outcome?

 

[kiwiman127]

Next up!
Privatizing the National Parks, followed by drilling, mining and cutting down the forest all in our Nationl Parks.
Look up PERC (Property and Environment Research Center). Look who they are connected to and understand their agenda. They and their sponsors are behind this BS.
In closing in the Book of Relevations 11:18 God will "destroy those who destroy the Earth". And the GOP claims to be the Party of God?

 

[Billy_Bob]

Oh the drama... Can we pack any more left wing fables into the drama?

 

[Crick]

Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die
by Joan McCarter
Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die

• 
  
• 78 Comments / 78 New

Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
One of the most successful conservation programs in modern history—the Land and Water Conservation Fund—died Thursday when the Republican House refused to extend it, giving the Koch brothers a win.
Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program—and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress. Instead, lawmakers will be dickering over how to divvy up former LWCF appropriations, which will now be going into the general treasury.
Earlier this summer, dozens of representatives on both sides of the aisle had signed a letter in support of the perpetually underfunded program, which has conserved more than seven million acres so far. LWCF purchases wildlife habitat, buys private inholdings within wildernesses and national parks, preserves cultural heritage sites, provides public access for fishing and hunting, and pays for urban parks, playgrounds and ballfields. (The Center for Western Priorities created an interactive map showing how LWCF has made national parks whole by paying to buy inholdings from private landowners.) And if put to a straight-up vote, reauthorization would pass both the House and Senate with bipartisan majorities.

But action on LWCF was derailed by far-right opposition, led by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, House Natural Resources chairman, reflecting the anti-public-land and anti-federal sentiments afoot in some quarters of the West. Bishop is floating his own reforms to the program, which include redirecting most of the money to state and local projects (in the 1970s, Congress removed a requirement that states get 60 percent of LWCF funding).

Here's just some of what this program has accomplished since being created in 1964—all without any taxpayer money. It "pumped almost $17 billion into federal, state, and local parks. It has protected more than 500 million acres of land, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to dramatic basalt cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The program also paid for almost two-thirds of the Appalachian Trail." It funded nearly 90 percent of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Again, without any taxpayer funding being spent. The fund is payed for by revenues paid by oil and gas companies drilling offshore in waters owned by the American people.
Bishop calls those who fought to preserve the LWCF (including Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zink of Montana) "special interests that seek to hijack LWCF to continue to expand the federal estate and divert even more monies away from localities." Make no mistake, this is part of furthering the Koch agenda to end the creation of new national parks and to undermine public ownership of any land that might, just might, have extractable resources under it.

Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell offered this statement.

After 50 years of resounding success in enriching America's great outdoors, the Land and Water Conservation Fund needlessly faces an uncertain future. I am extremely disappointed that, despite overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress has allowed this innovative and effective program to expire. As a result, America's national parks are now at a higher risk of private development within their borders, we will have fewer tools to protect access to hunting and fishing spots, and local parks and open space projects in all 50 states may face delays or cancellation in the year ahead.

The far right in this country want to pollute our rivers and destroy our environment. We must defend our national parks and wild life or we face extinction. period.

Turing America into a polluted mess like China is disgusting. This is what unregulated corporations have done.

How about we pay for it with the money NASA is waisting on climate "science"?
Or lower the threshold for EITC or disallow everything but food from EBT cards. How about we put prisoners to work sub-contracting assembly work from corporations? How about we replace unskilled public sector workers with welfare recipients?
How about we outlaw collective bargaining for public sector labor?

What was wrong with the way it had been funded since its inception? And why is this thread being sponsored by the Trans Canada Pipeline Group?

 

[ScienceRocks]

Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die
by Joan McCarter
Republican extremists allow most successful parks program to die

• 
  
• 78 Comments / 78 New

Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
One of the most successful conservation programs in modern history—the Land and Water Conservation Fund—died Thursday when the Republican House refused to extend it, giving the Koch brothers a win.
Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program—and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress. Instead, lawmakers will be dickering over how to divvy up former LWCF appropriations, which will now be going into the general treasury.
Earlier this summer, dozens of representatives on both sides of the aisle had signed a letter in support of the perpetually underfunded program, which has conserved more than seven million acres so far. LWCF purchases wildlife habitat, buys private inholdings within wildernesses and national parks, preserves cultural heritage sites, provides public access for fishing and hunting, and pays for urban parks, playgrounds and ballfields. (The Center for Western Priorities created an interactive map showing how LWCF has made national parks whole by paying to buy inholdings from private landowners.) And if put to a straight-up vote, reauthorization would pass both the House and Senate with bipartisan majorities.

But action on LWCF was derailed by far-right opposition, led by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, House Natural Resources chairman, reflecting the anti-public-land and anti-federal sentiments afoot in some quarters of the West. Bishop is floating his own reforms to the program, which include redirecting most of the money to state and local projects (in the 1970s, Congress removed a requirement that states get 60 percent of LWCF funding).

Here's just some of what this program has accomplished since being created in 1964—all without any taxpayer money. It "pumped almost $17 billion into federal, state, and local parks. It has protected more than 500 million acres of land, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to dramatic basalt cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The program also paid for almost two-thirds of the Appalachian Trail." It funded nearly 90 percent of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Again, without any taxpayer funding being spent. The fund is payed for by revenues paid by oil and gas companies drilling offshore in waters owned by the American people.
Bishop calls those who fought to preserve the LWCF (including Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zink of Montana) "special interests that seek to hijack LWCF to continue to expand the federal estate and divert even more monies away from localities." Make no mistake, this is part of furthering the Koch agenda to end the creation of new national parks and to undermine public ownership of any land that might, just might, have extractable resources under it.

Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell offered this statement.

After 50 years of resounding success in enriching America's great outdoors, the Land and Water Conservation Fund needlessly faces an uncertain future. I am extremely disappointed that, despite overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress has allowed this innovative and effective program to expire. As a result, America's national parks are now at a higher risk of private development within their borders, we will have fewer tools to protect access to hunting and fishing spots, and local parks and open space projects in all 50 states may face delays or cancellation in the year ahead.

The far right in this country want to pollute our rivers and destroy our environment. We must defend our national parks and wild life or we face extinction. period.

Turing America into a polluted mess like China is disgusting. This is what unregulated corporations have done.

How about we pay for it with the money NASA is waisting on climate "science"?
Or lower the threshold for EITC or disallow everything but food from EBT cards. How about we put prisoners to work sub-contracting assembly work from corporations? How about we replace unskilled public sector workers with welfare recipients?
How about we outlaw collective bargaining for public sector labor?

What was wrong with the way it had been funded since its inception? And why is this thread being sponsored by the Trans Canada Pipeline Group?

These people want corporations doing what ever the fuck they want to our environment. The loserterians must be defeated.

 

[Old Rocks]

National Parks. Truly the most socialist program in the world. Preserving the very best and most unique for the use and benefit of all citizens. And the best idea that the government of the United States ever came up with. So, of course, our modern "Conservatives" hate it.

The modern "Conservative" and the GOP are the 'slash and burn' farmers of today.

 

[Old Rocks]

This travesty must be brought up continually in the coming election.

 

[Stephanie]

Well don't forget folks. we have 94Million people unemployed, 18 TRILLION IN DEPT. but how dare we (EXTREMEST) don't throw our money at some park eh?

 

[Old Rocks]

Dearest little Stephanie, you are such a liar. A person is not unemployed if he or she does not want to be employed. Also, looking at the syntax and grammar, don't you think that it is a bit early to be hitting the bottle, old girl?

Yes, how dare the GOP fail to fund our National Treasures, for that is what the Parks are. And they are for every Americans use. If you just choose to sit at home in your single wide, that is your problem, but for the rest of us, the National Parks and Monuments are truly a treasure.

 

[Stephanie]

You lefties are becoming a real joke. too bad you really don't care about what's happening to ALL OF US and our country. it's seems now it's totally: party over country. that's some sad shit

 

[Care4all]

this is a darn shame....

there was nothing wrong with making the funding permanent, it makes the budget more realistic, since they funded it each time the renewal came up? So making it permanent was not the reason....the Politicos in office just seem to hate America and Americans, and worship MAMON.

I hope God does destroy those who destroy the Earth, as He promises....Amen!

 

[Stephanie]

this is a darn shame....

there was nothing wrong with making the funding permanent, it makes the budget more realistic, since they funded it each time the renewal came up? So making it permanent was not the reason....the Politicos in office just seem to hate America and Americans, and worship MAMON.

I hope God does destroy those who destroy the Earth, as He promises....Amen!

You earth worshippers want it funded take up a collection. nothing stopping you. take from your family and send in your weekly paychecks. that's only the honorable thing to do, isn't it?

 

[Care4all]

this is a darn shame....

there was nothing wrong with making the funding permanent, it makes the budget more realistic, since they funded it each time the renewal came up? So making it permanent was not the reason....the Politicos in office just seem to hate America and Americans, and worship MAMON.

I hope God does destroy those who destroy the Earth, as He promises....Amen!

You earth worshippers want it funded take up a collection. nothing stopping you. take from your family and send in your weekly paychecks. that's only the honorable thing to do, isn't it?

I'm not an Earth worshiper, I'm a God worshiper, and God will destroy those who destroy the Earth, the Word was spoken, and I believe Him... take your side, Mamon or God?

 

[Stephanie]

this is a darn shame....

there was nothing wrong with making the funding permanent, it makes the budget more realistic, since they funded it each time the renewal came up? So making it permanent was not the reason....the Politicos in office just seem to hate America and Americans, and worship MAMON.

I hope God does destroy those who destroy the Earth, as He promises....Amen!

You earth worshippers want it funded take up a collection. nothing stopping you. take from your family and send in your weekly paychecks. that's only the honorable thing to do, isn't it?

I'm not an Earth worshiper, I'm a God worshiper, and God will destroy those who destroy the Earth, the Word was spoken, and I believe Him... take your side, Mamon or God?

I love the earth and do my part to take care of it the best I can and believe in a higher power. but there comes a time in life we all have to TIGHTEN our belts or go bankrupt, no? this thread is petty and only used for shit stirring. have a good day dear.

 

[eagle1462010]

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33531.pdf

How the Fund Works The LWCF is not a true trust fund in the way “trust fund” is generally understood in the private sector. The fund is credited with revenues totaling $900 million annually, but these credited monies cannot be spent unless appropriated by Congress. From FY1965 through FY2014, about $36.2 billion has been credited to the LWCF. Less than half that amount—$16.8 billion—has been appropriated, leaving an unappropriated balance of $19.4 billion in the fund.2 Further, interest is not accrued on the accumulated unappropriated balance that has been credited to the LWCF. While some supporters assert that the LWCF was originally intended to be a revolving fund, whereby the money would be maintained in an account separate from the General Treasury that could accrue interest, this has not been the case. The fund’s basic purpose has not been altered even though the authorizing legislation has been amended, most notably to raise the authorization ceiling and to mandate that offshore oil and gas leasing revenues should make up any shortfall from other specified financing sources.


Haven't looked into the whole report...................But right off the bat..............Where did the 19.4 BILLION that was supposed to be for this program go?????????
I'm sure, like our normal Gov't, that they raided the fund to pay for other shit and want to keep that money flowing..............According to this report it should have 19.4 BILLION in a TRUST.......................So how is it BROKE........when 19.4 BILLION should be there?

 

[Stephanie]

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33531.pdf

How the Fund Works The LWCF is not a true trust fund in the way “trust fund” is generally understood in the private sector. The fund is credited with revenues totaling $900 million annually, but these credited monies cannot be spent unless appropriated by Congress. From FY1965 through FY2014, about $36.2 billion has been credited to the LWCF. Less than half that amount—$16.8 billion—has been appropriated, leaving an unappropriated balance of $19.4 billion in the fund.2 Further, interest is not accrued on the accumulated unappropriated balance that has been credited to the LWCF. While some supporters assert that the LWCF was originally intended to be a revolving fund, whereby the money would be maintained in an account separate from the General Treasury that could accrue interest, this has not been the case. The fund’s basic purpose has not been altered even though the authorizing legislation has been amended, most notably to raise the authorization ceiling and to mandate that offshore oil and gas leasing revenues should make up any shortfall from other specified financing sources.


Haven't looked into the whole report...................But right off the bat..............Where did the 19.4 BILLION that was supposed to be for this program go?????????
I'm sure, like our normal Gov't, that they raided the fund to pay for other shit and want to keep that money flowing..............According to this report it should have 19.4 BILLION in a TRUST.......................So how is it BROKE........when 19.4 BILLION should be there?

thanks. I hate to see what's going to get their panties in a wad next.

 

[eagle1462010]

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33531.pdf

Some advocates of higher LWCF funding seek partial or full permanent appropriations. For instance, the Obama Administration proposed $900 million for LWCF for FY2015 through a combination of discretionary ($350.0 million) and mandatory ($550.0 million) appropriations. Further, the Administration proposed amending current law to appropriate mandatory funding of $900 million annually beginning in FY2016.23 Questions include how to offset any new permanent appropriations and how to allocate permanent appropriations among different LWCF programs and purposes. There is also broad opposition to the LWCF based on varied concerns, with opponents generally seeking reduced levels of funds for LWCF. Some of the opposition stems from an interest in reducing the current size of the federal estate and minimizing further acquisition of privately owned land by the federal government either generally or at specific sites, especially in the West, where federal ownership is already concentrated. The concerns involve preferences for private ownership, impacts of federal land ownership on uses of private lands, and reduced local tax revenues that result from public ownership. Some opponents believe that maintaining (and rehabilitating) the land and facilities that federal agencies already own should take priority over further acquisitions. For instance, a pending House bill (H.R. 5220) seeks to bar funding for federal acquisitions while authorizing funding for maintenance. Further, for FY2015, the House Budget Committee supported focusing on eliminating the maintenance backlog before acquiring additional federal lands.24 Since federal agencies cannot use LWCF funds for maintenance, some supporters of this priority favor more funding to other accounts that can be used for maintenance and less for LWCF. Others have sought LWCF reductions as part of a broader focus on reducing the large federal deficit, or on the grounds that there is inadequate cooperation among LWCF programs and between LWCF and other programs.2


60% of the fund is to match state funds to BUY AND SEIZE MORE FEDERAL LAND.....................Some of the opposition is that the Federal Gov't already has enough land already............They are using these funds to create more parks and take MORE LAND.......to be funded by this program.............

If you look at the report............Bush and Obama have been taking this money every year for OTHER PURPOSES............Funding for their PET PROGRAMS to take land for the Federal Gov't.................This seems to be the major fight here.................

And AGAIN...............WHERE DID THE OTHER MONEY GO...............Supposed to be a TRUST FUND................WHY ISN'T IT THERE?

Yeah................that's right..........They already spent it.....................Just like they raided the S.S. and Medicare Trusts SPENDING EVERY CENT COMING IN.................

There is more to this BS of HOW THE GOP IS KILLING PARKS GARBAGE............Because most of the money is to acquire more Federal Land.