U.S. Capitol, ca. 1920 - Theodor Horydczak/Library of Congress
Periodically, the folks in The Trust for Public Land’s Federal Affairs department prepare a summary of conservation news from the nation’s capitol.
Story Summaries
(Details on all stories here)
FY 2012 Budget Complete; Many Conservation Programs Survive Difficult Budget Year
On December 23, President Obama signed into law the Fiscal Year 2012 Omnibus Appropriations bill, thus completing the annual budget and appropriations process. This Omnibus bill covers 9 of the 12 individual appropriations bills; the other 3 were included in a “minibus” approved by Congress in late November. Despite the significant focus in Washington on cutting spending, many conservation programs survived the FY 2012 budget process in relatively good standing
LWCF Full Funding Bill Now Stands at 27 Co-Sponsors
On April 15, 2011, Conrad Anker, world-renowned alpine climber—who discovered lost explorer George Mallory’s body on Mt. Everest—testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, the Environment and Related Agencies in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The fund was reduced by 33% in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and could face further cuts. Supported by offshore oil and gas leasing revenues—not taxpayers’ dollars—the LWCF ensures all Americans have access to local community parks and playgrounds and the vast expanses of federal public lands.
Attention Congress: Investing in Land Conservation Helps Our Economy
Over the past year, the annual budget and appropriations process has cut conservation funding disproportionately to its benefits. Key programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and EPA programs have been slashed by more than 30 percent, in contrast to overall non-defense discretionary spending, which has been cut by just 7 percent.
America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative
In 2010, President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative to bring in outside conservation partners to help create his 21st century conservation and recreation agenda. During the summer of 2010, the leadership of the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Army Corps of Engineers conducted approximately 51 listening sessions in various areas across the country to engage adults and youth alike on their conservation vision and how to make the Federal Government a better partner with states, tribes, and local communities.
Transportation Reauthorization Bill Update
When Congress last passed a multiyear transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005, it was set to expire on September 30, 2009. Because the current gas tax does not produce enough revenue to support existing transportation programs, Congress has been struggling to pass another multi-year bill and has only succeeded to date in passing 7 short-term extensions. The current one expires March 31, 2012.
Conservation Tax Incentive Extension Must Wait for 2012
Congress adjourned for the year without extending the conservation tax incentive that encourages landowners to donate conservation easements. While Congress agreed after much wrangling to extend temporarily the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, no action was taken on a multitude of other tax provisions that expire December 31, 2011 or during 2012. This is disappointmenting news for landowners and those in the land trust community who recognize the importance of this conservation tool. If history is any guide, however, it is likely that the incentive will be extended sometime next year and made retroactive.
Farm Bill Set to Expire at the End of FY 2012
Congress adjourned for the year without extending the conservation tax incentive that encourages landowners to donate conservation easements. While Congress agreed after much wrangling to extend temporarily the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, no action was taken on a multitude of other tax provisions that expire December 31, 2011 or during 2012. This is disappointmenting news for landowners and those in the land trust community who recognize the importance of this conservation tool. If history is any guide, however, it is likely that the incentive will be extended sometime next year and made retroactive.
Details on all stories here
