The Land and Water Conservation Program was set up by Congress nearly fifty years ago to match grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities, as well as funding for shared federal land acquisition and conservation strategies. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States.

The fund has successfully protected and expanded some of Pennsylvania’s most beloved parks such as the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Center, Gettysburg National Historic Park, and the Allegheny National Forest.

Unfortunately, the annual LWCF funds have recently been diverted to non-conservation purposes, thus backlogging conservation and recreation needs and enticing willing sellers. Based on their current budget, LWCF are set to run out of funds by late March unless Washington responds soon. KTA is one of more than 650 groups (20 based in Pennsylvania) to sign onto the fund’s coalition letter in the hopes that President Obama will respond to the underfunding. We ask our members to help us in requesting the current administration to dedicate permanent substantial funding to our nation’s premiere fund for land and water protection.

Please considering sending the following sample letter to President Obama to show that despite the economic climate, conservation efforts are still of primary concern to this nation.

From the beautiful wilderness of the Allegheny National Forest, to the historic battlefield of Gettysburg, our parks and forests are where many Pennsylvanians make some of their most cherished memories. Yet many of Pennsylvania’s public lands are facing increasing threats from overdevelopment and pollution.

As a far-reaching coalition of groups ranging from hunters and anglers to conservationists, environmentalists, veterans and historians, we urge you to protect our most treasured natural areas. Places like Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which cuts through the Appalachian Mountains, give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, hunting, and learning about their country’s history.

With the increasing threats facing our treasured places we hope that you will ensure their long-term protection by pushing for full, permanent and dedicated funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the FY14 budget and for the remainder of your current term.

The annual diversion of LWCF funds to non-conservation purposes has left a legacy of backlogged conservation and recreation needs and willing sellers. To prevent this dangerous cycle of overdevelopment and increased pollution from continuing to threaten Pennsylvania’s unique environment, you must address the underfunding of our nation’s premiere fund for land and water protection.

We applaud your recommendation of $900 million in your FY12 budget. As an historic step towards providing this country’s parks, forests, waterways and wildlife refuges with the critical environmental protection they desperately need and deserve, we urge you to call for full, permanent and dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in your FY14 budget.