Mcclatchydc.com - Full Article
By Julianna Rennie
February 20, 2019 12:54 PM
More than 1.3 million acres of new wilderness would be designated. Four national monuments would be created. Thousands of acres of land would be protected from future mining development. And firefighting technology would be upgraded using GPS and drones.
All this is a part of a massive public lands package the House is poised to pass next week and send to President Donald Trump.
The package co-sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, also permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program that uses revenue from offshore oil and natural gas drilling to support conservation projects in every state...
Read more here: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article226505545.html#storylink=cpy
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Congress moves forward on Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization
SmokyMountainNews.com - Full Article
Written by Admin
20 February 2019
The U.S. Senate voted Feb. 12 to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an important funding source for conservation projects nationwide.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, with a bipartisan list of co-sponsors. Though Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, is not included on the sponsor list, he introduced a related piece of legislation this month that also attempted to permanently reauthorize the fund.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund may cost taxpayers nothing, but Congress’ failure to renew it would cost us all dearly,” Burr said in a press release. “Without this program, every state in the country would lose out on valuable outdoor recreation projects, beautiful natural landscapes, and easy access to state and national parks. It’s been four months since LWCF was allowed to expire despite its proven track record of success and overwhelming bipartisan support. It is long past time for Congress do the right thing by renewing America’s most successful conservation program...”
Read more here:
https://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/26432-congress-moves-forward-on-land-and-water-conservation-fund-reauthorization
Written by Admin
20 February 2019
The U.S. Senate voted Feb. 12 to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an important funding source for conservation projects nationwide.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, with a bipartisan list of co-sponsors. Though Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, is not included on the sponsor list, he introduced a related piece of legislation this month that also attempted to permanently reauthorize the fund.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund may cost taxpayers nothing, but Congress’ failure to renew it would cost us all dearly,” Burr said in a press release. “Without this program, every state in the country would lose out on valuable outdoor recreation projects, beautiful natural landscapes, and easy access to state and national parks. It’s been four months since LWCF was allowed to expire despite its proven track record of success and overwhelming bipartisan support. It is long past time for Congress do the right thing by renewing America’s most successful conservation program...”
Read more here:
https://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/26432-congress-moves-forward-on-land-and-water-conservation-fund-reauthorization
Monday, February 18, 2019
Horse Camping Weekend at Camp Creek State Park in West Virginia
Equitrekking.com - Full StoryMay 28 2017
by Susan St. Amand
An Extended Horse Camping Weekend in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia at Camp Creek State Park & State Forest.
A beautiful horse camping facility named Double C Horse and Rider Campground is located in Camp Creek, West Virginia, situated within the Camp Creek State Park and State Forest. Reservations are required for this secluded and gated horse camping area separated from the rest of the park. Thirteen horse camping sites are available with open horse stalls and pens in a cul-de-dac surrounded by trees and bordered by a creek. Restrooms are also available.
The park contains other family amenities and camping areas as well as a small camp store, playgrounds, picnic areas and outdoor ampitheatre. With the nearby creeks, fishing is also an option. The park is very well maintained and the park staff were very friendly. Trails were well marked with trail maps also available...
Read more here:
https://equitrekking.com/articles/entry/horse-camping-weekend-at-camp-creek-state-park-in-west-virginia/?mc_cid=a82fc155f7&mc_eid=290b655fe3
Friday, February 15, 2019
When public lands are blocked, Idahoans have no recourse. This bill seeks to change that.
IdahoStatesman.com - Full Article
By Nicole Blanchard
February 13, 2019
Idaho legislators on Monday voted to introduce a bill that would give the public the ability to file suit against someone who bars access to public land.
The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted unanimously to move Senate bill 1089 forward. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise. On Wednesday morning, it wasn’t immediately clear when the next action on the bill would take place.
The Idaho Wildlife Federation, a local conservation group, has been working on the legislation for two years, according to executive director Brian Brooks. The proposed legislation would alter an existing Idaho code to offer what Brooks calls “a civil remedy” to public land access issues...
Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article226169600.html#storylink=cpy
By Nicole Blanchard
February 13, 2019
Idaho legislators on Monday voted to introduce a bill that would give the public the ability to file suit against someone who bars access to public land.
The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted unanimously to move Senate bill 1089 forward. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise. On Wednesday morning, it wasn’t immediately clear when the next action on the bill would take place.
The Idaho Wildlife Federation, a local conservation group, has been working on the legislation for two years, according to executive director Brian Brooks. The proposed legislation would alter an existing Idaho code to offer what Brooks calls “a civil remedy” to public land access issues...
Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article226169600.html#storylink=cpy
Thursday, February 14, 2019
North Coast’s Great Redwood Trail would convert decaying railway into 320-mile pathway
PressDemocrat.com - Full Article
KEVIN FIXLER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | February 10, 2019
The first steps toward making a more than 300-mile walking and cycling trail from the San Francisco Bay to Humboldt Bay, crossing some of the North Coast’s most scenic, least-traveled landscapes are set to begin later this year.
Details such as when the Great Redwood Trail could be completed, how the most challenging stretches might be constructed and how much it all will cost remain big unknowns. But advocates of the ambitious plan to convert a decaying railway into a world-class pathway, potentially drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the region each year, say they’re confident it’s not a question of if it’ll happen, but when.
“Oh absolutely, absolutely. No question,” said Caryl Hart, the former head of Sonoma County Regional Parks. “Portions are already built in Willits and Ukiah, and quite a large portion in Humboldt Bay and Arcata is in the beginnings of development. It’s not like we have to find or buy the right of way — it already is there, and that is just such an advantage.”
The concept involves connecting blacktop in populated areas and segments of dirt trails in rural sections adjacent to deteriorating train tracks throughout five counties to offer a hiking, biking and horseback riding experience unlike any other. The meandering trek from Larkspur to beyond Eureka, which includes the remote, 50-mile Eel River Canyon north of Willits, would provide unencumbered, picturesque views few have laid eyes on before...
Read more here:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9258152-181/north-coasts-great-redwood-trail
KEVIN FIXLER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | February 10, 2019
The first steps toward making a more than 300-mile walking and cycling trail from the San Francisco Bay to Humboldt Bay, crossing some of the North Coast’s most scenic, least-traveled landscapes are set to begin later this year.
Details such as when the Great Redwood Trail could be completed, how the most challenging stretches might be constructed and how much it all will cost remain big unknowns. But advocates of the ambitious plan to convert a decaying railway into a world-class pathway, potentially drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the region each year, say they’re confident it’s not a question of if it’ll happen, but when.
“Oh absolutely, absolutely. No question,” said Caryl Hart, the former head of Sonoma County Regional Parks. “Portions are already built in Willits and Ukiah, and quite a large portion in Humboldt Bay and Arcata is in the beginnings of development. It’s not like we have to find or buy the right of way — it already is there, and that is just such an advantage.”
The concept involves connecting blacktop in populated areas and segments of dirt trails in rural sections adjacent to deteriorating train tracks throughout five counties to offer a hiking, biking and horseback riding experience unlike any other. The meandering trek from Larkspur to beyond Eureka, which includes the remote, 50-mile Eel River Canyon north of Willits, would provide unencumbered, picturesque views few have laid eyes on before...
Read more here:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9258152-181/north-coasts-great-redwood-trail
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Senate votes to extend key funding mechanism for parks
TheHill.com - Full Article
By Timothy Cama - 02/12/19
The Senate voted Tuesday to indefinitely extend the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a key funding mechanism for national and local parks.
The bipartisan renewal of the LWCF, which expired in October when Congress couldn’t come to an agreement on an extension, is the main pillar of a wide-ranging public lands bill the Senate voted to pass on Tuesday, 92-8.
The legislation is the first major public lands bill since 2014. In addition to the LWCF, it includes numerous national and locally tailored provisions related to federal land boundaries, recreation, sportsmen’s access to parks and more...
Read more here:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/429687-senate-votes-to-extend-key-funding-mechanism-for-parks
By Timothy Cama - 02/12/19
The Senate voted Tuesday to indefinitely extend the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a key funding mechanism for national and local parks.
The bipartisan renewal of the LWCF, which expired in October when Congress couldn’t come to an agreement on an extension, is the main pillar of a wide-ranging public lands bill the Senate voted to pass on Tuesday, 92-8.
The legislation is the first major public lands bill since 2014. In addition to the LWCF, it includes numerous national and locally tailored provisions related to federal land boundaries, recreation, sportsmen’s access to parks and more...
Read more here:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/429687-senate-votes-to-extend-key-funding-mechanism-for-parks
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Legislation including mineral withdrawal north of Yellowstone, LWCF to get vote in U.S. Senate next week
BozemanDailyChronicle.com - Full Article
By Michael Wright Chronicle Staff Writer
Feb 1, 2019
Permanently banning new mining claims north of Yellowstone National Park and renewing a popular conservation fund are closer to reality, as the U.S. Senate plans to take up a broad lands bill including the two measures next week.
The bill, S. 47, contains a variety of public lands legislation across the country including two measures that have been important to the Montana congressional delegation — the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Representatives from the offices of Montana’s two senators have told the Chronicle the bill will hit the Senate floor early next week for debate with a vote to follow soon after...
Read more here:
https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/legislation-including-mineral-withdrawal-north-of-yellowstone-lwcf-to-get/article_7b73a3b5-c071-5de1-a17d-e8181ea637fb.html#utm_source=bozemandailychronicle.com&utm_campaign=morning-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
By Michael Wright Chronicle Staff Writer
Feb 1, 2019
Permanently banning new mining claims north of Yellowstone National Park and renewing a popular conservation fund are closer to reality, as the U.S. Senate plans to take up a broad lands bill including the two measures next week.
The bill, S. 47, contains a variety of public lands legislation across the country including two measures that have been important to the Montana congressional delegation — the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Representatives from the offices of Montana’s two senators have told the Chronicle the bill will hit the Senate floor early next week for debate with a vote to follow soon after...
Read more here:
https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/legislation-including-mineral-withdrawal-north-of-yellowstone-lwcf-to-get/article_7b73a3b5-c071-5de1-a17d-e8181ea637fb.html#utm_source=bozemandailychronicle.com&utm_campaign=morning-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
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