Tuesday February 7, 2012
Manchin should lead the charge for dedication of conservation funds
Our state is rich in forests, parks, wildlife refuges and other publicly owned lands that support 61,000 West Virginia jobs and generate $4.3 billion each year in retail sales and services to hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers.
One of the most effective tools to protect places like the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Harper's Ferry National Historical Park, and the New River Gorge National River has been the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This fund allocates a small portion of the revenue generated by offshore oil and gas leases to protect land for recreation and wildlife. Congress has continually diverted funds from this intended purpose.
As a result, some of West Virginia's most treasured places are subjected to an annual budget rollercoaster ride.
It shouldn't happen this way.
Sen. Joe Manchin knows the importance of outdoor recreation to West Virginia's economy. The "wild, wonderful" resources that make our state so special have benefited greatly from the fund - some $230 million for hundreds of local, state and federal conservation projects over 45 years.
Many projects in West Virginia depend on continued funding.
Senate Bill. 1265 would ensure that fund monies are fully available for conservation, as Congress intended.
Manchin's leadership is needed so important conservation projects in our state can move forward. We urge him to sign on as a sponsor of this important legislation.
Mark Ehrnschwender
Fayetteville
Ehrnschwender is chairman of the Plateau Action Network.
Our state is rich in forests, parks, wildlife refuges and other publicly owned lands that support 61,000 West Virginia jobs and generate $4.3 billion each year in retail sales and services to hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers.
One of the most effective tools to protect places like the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Harper's Ferry National Historical Park, and the New River Gorge National River has been the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This fund allocates a small portion of the revenue generated by offshore oil and gas leases to protect land for recreation and wildlife. Congress has continually diverted funds from this intended purpose.
As a result, some of West Virginia's most treasured places are subjected to an annual budget rollercoaster ride.
It shouldn't happen this way.
Sen. Joe Manchin knows the importance of outdoor recreation to West Virginia's economy. The "wild, wonderful" resources that make our state so special have benefited greatly from the fund - some $230 million for hundreds of local, state and federal conservation projects over 45 years.
Many projects in West Virginia depend on continued funding.
Senate Bill. 1265 would ensure that fund monies are fully available for conservation, as Congress intended.
Manchin's leadership is needed so important conservation projects in our state can move forward. We urge him to sign on as a sponsor of this important legislation.
Mark Ehrnschwender
Fayetteville
Ehrnschwender is chairman of the Plateau Action Network.
