WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that $922,876 will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) directly to Maine to support conservation and recreation projects in our local communities.

The funds, which are generated out of a portion of the lease revenue from offshore oil and gas development, support state-identified and community-supported projects that create jobs, contribute to local economies, and grow outdoor recreational opportunities in virtually every county across the country.

“LWCF is our country’s most important and successful conservation and outdoor recreation program,” said Senator Collins and King. “This landmark conservation program has created outdoor recreation opportunities in every state and 98 percent of counties across the country. Its funding has been used to build parks and playing fields, recreation trails, and to preserve open spaces. This important investment will initiate and bolster local conservation and recreation efforts in our state, helping to ensure both current and future generations can enjoy the beauty of Maine’s natural resources.”

Senator Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senator King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee have long supported efforts to support the LWCF, including matching federal grants to states and local communities to develop outdoor recreation facilities, parks, and resources, and funding to support the acquisition of key parcels within Acadia National Park, a true gem of the Maine coastline. Last September, Senator Collins led a bipartisan coalition of Senators, including Senator King, in calling on Senate leadership to permanently reauthorize and adequately fund the LWCF. Senator Collins cosponsored the bipartisan extension of LWCF that was signed into law last year. Additionally, both Senator Collins and Senator King are cosponsors of bipartisan legislation that would permanently reauthorize LWCF, S. 338.

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1965 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations, and to provide money to federal agencies and state and local governments to purchase land, water, and wetlands for the benefit of all Americans. Funds are awarded through federal matching grants that leverage public and private investment and enable state and local governments to create, develop, or enhance everything from urban parks to state wildlife management areas to soccer fields. The funds also provide the public with access to rivers, lakes, and other water resources, and permanently conserve these areas for outdoor recreational use and enjoyment.  A recent analysis of the Land and Water Conservation Fund found that every $1 invested in land acquisition generated a $4 return on investment for communities.

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