Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Trump administration announced new policies that could undercut one of the country’s most significant conservation programs.
A secretarial order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum imposed new restrictions and limitations on the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a six-decade-old program that funds projects to increase public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters. The order obstructs how LWCF funds can be used, and imposes limitations on expanding outdoor recreation and conservation areas within national monuments, national conservation areas, and other landscapes overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.
The order undercuts the Great American Outdoors Act, Trump’s sole conservation achievement during his first term. At the time, the White House called the Act the “most significant investment in our parks” since the presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has fired thousands of park rangers and called for nearly $1 billion in cuts to the National Park Service budget, in addition to the new LWCF policy.
In response, Jackie Ostfeld, Director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Campaign, released the following statement:
“The Trump administration can say they’re making America beautiful again, but actions speak louder than words. So far, those actions have been deep and damaging cuts to the National Park Service. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the greatest conservation tools we have, and it doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. This order will only make it harder for people to access public lands and damage the natural legacy that belongs to all of us.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.