LWCF 2014–2017

Mapping the Land & Water Conservation Fund

There is arguably no program more critical to protecting and conserving America’s public lands than the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Over its lifetime, LWCF has invested more than $17 billion, derived primarily from offshore oil drilling in federal waters, to protect critical lands, develop new recreation facilities in urban areas, preserve historic sites, and improve access to public lands and waters for hikers, hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the primary source of funds for enhancing access to parks and public lands across the United States, guaranteeing that Americans from Maine to Texas to Montana benefit from our nation’s outdoor spaces. Unless Congress acts to reauthorize the program before the end of September 2018, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is at risk of disappearing forever.

On this map the Center for Western Priorities quantifies the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s record of success by compiling an on-the-ground snapshot of U.S. public land and Forest Legacy program LWCF projects proposed during a four-year period, from 2014 to 2017.

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Legend

Complete

COMPLETE A project was considered “complete” when an agency spent LWCF funds to protect lands.

According to CWP's analysis, 293 U.S. public land and Forest Legacy LWCF projects in 42 states were successfully completed between 2014 and 2017, conserving at least 431,000 acres and protecting America’s parks and public lands from the threat of development.

Proposed

IN PROCESS A project was considered “in process” when ongoing negotiations between an agency and a landowner were confirmed.

NOT COMPLETE A project was considered “not complete” when an agency identified the project as a priority, and one of the following occurred:

  • Congress did not appropriate funds and the project still needs funding.
  • Congress appropriated funds but no LWCF funds were spent on the project.
  • Congress appropriated funds but active negotiations were not confirmed, so the project was not considered “in process.”

The Center for Western Priorities identified 92 proposed projects in 29 states that are currently in the process of being completed, along with 223 proposed projects in 45 states that were not completed or have not yet been funded, and may be lost altogether if LWCF is not reauthorized and fully funded. Of the projects identified, a minimum of 318,000 acres are on the line if LWCF expires this September.

DATA PENDING A project was considered “data pending” when an agency failed to respond to a request for information as of August 2018.

MULTIPLE PROJECTS Click to zoom/expand.

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Full report (PDF)