Elk NetworkLWCF Finally Permanently Authorized

General | March 14, 2019

A key conservation program is now permanently authorized after President Trump signed S.47 into law.

The Land and Water Conservation Program protected millions of acres of habitat since it was first created in 1964. It directs lawmakers to appropriate up to $900 million annually from federal offshore drilling fees for the protection of important land, water and recreational areas for all Americans to enjoy.

For the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation alone, LWCF so far provided more than $108 million in funding that was vital to the completion of 80 projects permanently protecting more than 150,000 acres of America’s most crucial elk habitat.

“This program is absolutely vital for elk, other wildlife and hunting access,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “The bill further improves public access to public lands by directing federal agencies to open lands for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting unless specifically closed. It also contains a number of other vital conservation measures.”

(Photo source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)