I apologize again for cross postings-Erin LAND & WATER CONSERVATION FUND PRIORITY LIST MEMO This year, the Sierra Club Wildlands Campaign is once again endeavoring to take full advantage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a critical land acquisition program, by identifying those projects that are most important to our Sierra Club members. In the last two years, Congress has provided a significant boost in funding for the LWCF. In this past year's appropriations cycle, the Sierra Club set out to ensure that this boost resulted in funding for Sierra Club priorities. With the help of our volunteers, we created a Sierra Club LWCF priority list and educated Members of Congress on those projects. As a result, nine projects that Sierra Club members have been working on will be funded in 2002. We'll continue to work toward increased funding for this important program ? and we anticipate support for the LWCF will only grow. Right now, we want to take advantage of this great opportunity and help make sure special places in your area receive the funding they need. You can help by identifying the projects in your area that are in need of LWCF funding, and creating support in your region for those projects. If you are working on a land acquisition project in your area that could benefit from LWCF funds, Contact Geoff Suttle immediately at geoffrey.suttle@ sierraclub.org or 202-675-7914 to get involved in Sierra Club's efforts. We need to hear from you now, because priorities will be established by mid-February. Geoff will provide you more details on the process of identifying, acquiring, and protecting lands through LWCF. What is the LWCF? The LWCF was created in 1964 to preserve "irreplaceable lands of natural beauty and unique recreational value." The Fund uses revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing to purchase land in and around National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, National Forests and other public lands. The Act also set up a state matching grants program, under which states and local governments can get aid for wildlands preservation, and for outdoor recreation facilities. Unfortunately, the tremendous promise of the LWCF has never been fulfilled. Of the $900 million promised annually, only a fraction has ever been provided. But things have been improving. In 2000, Congress passed funding legislation that promises at least $540 million a year to LWCF through 2006. Clearly this falls short of full funding, but it's a step in the right direction, and we need your help to make sure it's used wisely. What kind of project is eligible? The federal component of LWCF provides funds to the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service to acquire lands in and around their respective management units. The money is used to purchase "inholdings" ? pockets of private lands located inside a federal management unit ? or to purchase areas of land on the boundaries of a National Park, Forest, Wildlife Refuge or a BLM area. In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service can use LWCF money to create new Wildlife Refuges. The Administration and Congress decide each year which areas are going to receive the limited amount of funding available through the LWCF. And with lots of grassroots support, we can help ensure the money goes to the right places. In order to qualify for our efforts in Congress this year, a project has to be essentially ready to go. That means the potential purchase has been identified and the landowner is ready and willing to sell. If you've been working on or are familiar with any such projects in your area that are in need of funding, let us know right away ? and we'll help get the support in Congress you need. For the Future If you think there are threatened lands in your area that may be eligible for funding in the future ? for instance, they are adjacent to a National Park, Forest, Wildlife Refuge or BLM area, or they'd be eligible as a new Refuge ? then let us know. We'll provide you with information, and help get your project off the ground. Forwarded by Erin Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]