$75 Million Appropriated In LWCF For Agencies In 1983

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) scored one of its most significant legislative victories in the waning days of the 97th lame-duck Congress as $75 million was approved for the state assistance portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Last year, no state assistance monies were allocated in the LWCF, the primary source of federal monies for park acquisition and development by local park and recreation agencies.

The coordination between NRPA and its members had paid dividends for the park and recreation movement. NRPA Executive Director John H. Davis further cited the work by members in Illinois "who were especially aggressive in legislative activities, beginning last year and continuing into this year. The Illinois associations interpreted the value of the LWCF to those on Capitol Hill and that work paid off with key congressional contacts."

The $75 million appropriation for state assistance in the LWCF came as part of a $7.5 billion appropriation approved for the Department of the Interior. The full amount earmarked for the LWCF was $226 million, the majority slated to fund federal projects.

The state appropriation for the LWCF was a direct rejection of the administration's position. For the second consecutive year, the Reagan administration, in its fiscal 1983 budget, proposed no LWCF for state and local park and recreation projects.

The administration's proposal came in spite of projections that a record $18 billion in royalty revenues from Outer Continental Shelf leases would be raised in 1983. Royalty revenues from mineral exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf fund nearly 90 percent of the expenditures from the LWCF.

Of the $75 million appropriated for the state assistance portion of the LWCF; $4.4 million will cover administrative expenses. The remaining $70.6 million is expected to be appropriated directly to the state. Illinois should receive $2,737,000, of which $2,400,000 will go to local governments, including park districts.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 41 March/April 1983