You may not know of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. But if you’ve hiked in Saguaro National Park or enjoyed the lighting at a local baseball park, you’ve probably reaped the benefits.
The fund channels revenue from off shore oil and gas drilling to support projects big and small — totaling more than $220 million in Arizona over the past 50 years. But it’s now set to expire in September.
Recently, a senate committee overseeing the fund came to a bipartisan accord and that was encouraging, said Mike Quigley, who is the Arizona director for the Wilderness Society.
“It is certainly a program that has enormous benefits for the economy here in Arizona in terms of supporting outdoor recreation both opportunities and jobs associated with those opportunities," said Quigley.
The legislation renewing the fund still needs to be voted out of committee and passed by both chambers. So far, all the Democratic members of Arizona congressional delegation have sent letters of support.
