Washington, D.C.
--President Bush's fiscal year 2006 budget request and related documents propose to "terminate" Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance grants for local and state park systems. The budget was officially released at noon today, Monday, February 7.
The fiscal year 2005 approved budget appropriates $89.7 million for grants, but they have not yet been apportioned to the states. Technically, these funds could also be subject to a rescission request.
The National Park Service would receive $53 million for land conservation in the National Park system, slightly higher than the agency requested. The LWCF account contains approximately $12 billion in authorized but unappropriated funds.
As expected, the budget requests no funds for the restoration of urban parks.
"The LWCF grants have played an important role in creating a nationwide system of parks and recreation resources," says NRPA Executive Director John Thorner, CAE. "We will make every effort to convince the Congress to appropriate $100 million for reinvestment in state and local public parks."
More than 300 advocates will attend the NRPA National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation in Washington, D.C., next week (Feb. 16-20). Delegates are arranging face-to-face meetings with legislators, and LWCF funding will be a major focus along with other programs important to parks and recreation. "This is a critical time for advocates to be in Washington," Thorner observed. For more information about the NRPA Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation go to: http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=968
Funding levels of other federal programs in the President’s proposed budget:
- $991 million proposed for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, identical to last year’s FY 2005 funding level. RSA, section 316 grants for individuals with disabilities, budget request proposed to “terminate” the program. Congress appropriated $2.5 million last year. $47 million proposed for the Steps to a Healthier U.S. grants program, identical to last year’s FY 2005 funding level.
- Federal Highway Administration has rescinded a significant portion of unobligated, FY 2005 and funds from previous fiscal years. State transportation agencies will determine programs to be cut, potentially including transportation enhancements.
For details, please contact NRPA Public Policy at 202.887.0290 or mphillips@nrpa.org .
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