Put Land Fund Back on Track

Congress created the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1964 to purchase and protect “areas of natural beauty and unique recreational value” for the enjoyment of all Americans. Revenues from federal offshore oil and gas leases were earmarked for the fund, an appropriate use of the money the government gets for commercial depletion of these valuable resources.

The fund brings in about $900 million a year, but Congress has never spent all the money on its intended purpose. Typically, half the amount was diverted to reduction of the federal budget deficit. But today’s balanced budget changes the situation.

Congress should enthusiastically embrace a Clinton administration proposal that the entire fund be used for its intended purpose in fiscal year 2000. Clinton proposed a variety of resource projects, including the purchase of land for national parks, coastal and marine sanctuaries and other preserves. Funds would also go to state and local governments and private land trusts and other nonprofit organizations to buy land, preserve farmland and protect the habitat of endangered species.

This expanded program would be a boon to Southern California. Specific proposals include the addition of 450,000 acres to Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Desert Preserve, purchase of a tract in the Santa Monica Mountains and additions to the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. This is welcome news at a time when the state budget for wild-land purchases has been restricted by an unexpected state budget shortfall.

This plan may be a tough sell in a Congress where the environment does not hold the priority it deserves. It will take more than just environmental organizations lobbying members of Congress. City, county and state officials and civic organizations will need to wage a coordinated program of persuasion. This conservation money should be spent to preserve a natural heritage for future generations, which is what Congress intended in 1964.