In 1964, Congress created this fund from revenue generated primarily from offshore oil and gas receipts for the purchase of land and water to support the creation and preservation of national and local community parks, forests, wildlife refuges and open spaces. The LWCF was authorized to receive $900 million each year to be split between "state-side" grant-in-aid programs and federal agencies such as the National Parks Service. Since its creation, LWCF has been responsible for over 7 million acres of open spaces and more than 37,000 state, municipal and local parks and recreation projects, from ballparks and playgrounds to national historic sites and scenic trails. As the graft indicates, in recent years as much as 85 percent of the Fund has been diverted for purposes other than conservation and recreation.
Absolutely! Between 1965 and 1995, New York State received nearly $200 million which provided matching funds to communities, state agencies and non-profit groups for building trails and protecting rivers and beaches, for critically needed urban parks and recreational programs and for boat launches, bike trails and public parks throughout the State. New York currently receives no "state-side" funding. Last year Governor Pataki created the Empire State Task Force in an effort to spur a grass-roots movement to pressure Congress into fully funding the LWCF again and providing the 50% promised to States. This federal commitment is important because it provides ongoing funds for recreational projects to the states which are in closer proximity to local needs. Every federal dollar spent on a state-wide LWCF project is matched by a local, regional or state sponsor and results in two dollars spent in that local area.
Yes! While the majority of funds went to communities outside of the Park, every county in the North Country has benefited from this Fund. (See the partial list of LWCF supported projects in our area below). But, greenspaces are critically important in our urban areas as well. Clean air, water, trees, soccer fields, parks, beaches, and songbirds are just as essential to the well-being of New York citizens who are not as fortunate as we are to live in the Adirondacks Park
Year | County | Project | LWCF $$ |
| 1967 | Clinton | Ausable Point Campsite | $57,000 |
| 1985 | Clinton | Peru Boat Launch | $164,000 |
| 1972 | Essex | Santanoni Preserve | $875,000 |
| 1973 | Essex | Lake Harris Campsite | $137,000 |
| 1976 | Essex | Village Park - Saranac Lake | $86,000 |
| 1977-1978 | Essex | Whiteface Mt. Ski Center | $2,932,000 |
| 1968 | Hamilton | Limekiln Lake Campsite | $16,000 |
| 1969 | Hamilton | Golden Beach Campsite | $77,000 |
| 1970 | Hamilton | Moffitt Beach Campsite | $191,000 |
| 1974 | Hamilton | Lewey Lake Campsite | $99,000 |
| 1966 | Herkimer | Nicks Lake Campsite | $56,000 |
| 1967 | Franklin | Buck Pond Campsite | $35,000 |
| 1969 | Franklin | Lake Colby Beach | $21,000 |
| 1973 | Franklin | Fish Creek Campsite | $98,000 |
| 1985 | Franklin | Tupper Lake Municipal Park | $6,000 |
| 1990 | Franklin | Interp. Center - Paul Smith's | $432,000 |
| 1967 | Fulton | Caroga Lake Campsite | $88,000 |
| 1979 | Lewis | Whetstone Gulf State Park | $8,000 |
| 1987 | Lewis | Lyons Falls Recreation | $37,000 |
| 1966 | Saratoga | Moreau Lake State Park | $36,000 |
| 1981 | Saratoga | Saratoga Boat Launch | $38,000 |
| 1966 | St. Lawrence | Cranberry Lake State Park | $30,000 |
| 1966 | Warren | Lake Luzerne Campsite | $36,000 |
| 1968 | Warren | Scroon Lake | $197,000 |
| 1978 | Warren | Gore Mt. Snowmaking | $247,000 |
| 1977-1979 | Warren | Warren Co. Bikeway | $149,000 |
| 1986-1987 | Warren | Lake George Beach Rd. Parks | $185,000 |
Start with a couple letters and stamps. Target Albany first! Pataki's onboard but did you know that in 1997, a strong effort was made in our Senate to include "state-side" funding in the Interior appropriations bill but it was killed in the Assembly. Send your representatives letters and email letting them know how important this funding is. Be specific about how you and your family have benefited personally from a LWCF project in your area. Then let Washington know that the LWCF benefits all citizens in our state, all ages from children to seniors, from all economic backgrounds. Even more importantly, we owe it to future generations to protect our natural resources from urban sprawl and pollution as the founders of the Forest Preserve did for us 100 years ago. As a friend of mine once said while looking at out over our beautiful mountains and the lakes, "...you know, they're not making any more of it."
- New York State Senators
- State Assembly Representatives
- Senator Charles E. Schumer
- Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
- Senate Appropriations Committee Members
- New York State Parks and Recreation Task Force Announcement
If you cannot find the right addresses for your area, or you need more ideas to generate local awareness, feel free to drop me a note! Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation (AHR) is a nationwide group of conservation, civic organizations, park and recreation directors dedicated to revitalizing the Land and Water Conservation fund. The Executive Director in their National Office is Jane Danowitz and can be contacted by email for more information on the National front.