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
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