Twenty-six CEOs and business owners urge Congress to reauthorize program before it expires Sept. 30
This week, California CEOs and small business owners joined a group of business leaders across the country in uniting to send a letter to Congress urging the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The group of leaders, including representatives from tourism and recreation businesses from San Diego to Santa Cruz, urged Congress to reauthorize the critical conservation program before it expires Sept. 30.
The letter comes just as news breaks out of D.C. that the House Natural Resources Committee has approved bill H.R. 502, which will permanently reauthorize LWCF if passed. The bill still must be considered by the full House of Representatives and the Senate — and support from California representatives will be key to ensuring the success of the legislation.
LWCF is one of America’s most important conservation programs, protecting coastal resources, parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas across the county. Established by Congress in 1965, LWCF is a simple idea: to invest a small portion of federal revenue from offshore drilling toward protecting important land, water and recreation areas for all Americans. No taxpayer funds go toward the program.
To date, 26 business leaders have signed the letter to Congress, with more CEOs, small business owners, and other leadership joining the call to U.S. lawmakers each day. Representatives from California include Mark Price, CEO of Firewire Surfboards in Carlsbad; Andrew Palyniak, Owner and Teacher at Modo Yoga San Diego; and Dave Robinson, Owner of The Ride Guides, a mountain bike tour service in Santa Cruz.
The group of signers outline in the letter how essential LWCF is to economies and businesses across the country. If California’s public lands had not received funds from LWCF, there would be less environmental protection and recreation in the Golden State — and less economic activity. The Outdoor Industry Association found that outdoor recreation supports $92 billion in consumer spending in California, and creates 691,000 jobs generating $30.4 billion in wages and salaries.
“For more than 50 years, LWCF has provided much-needed funding for land and water conservation projects — many on our beloved beaches here in the Golden State,” said Mark Price, CEO of Firewire Surfboards in Carlsbad, CA. “LWCF protects the pristine coastal areas that support industries like mine and the recreation opportunities that are the heart and soul of my business and region.”
In Southern California, for example:
- Huntington Beach: LWCF provided more than $1 million dollars in federal funding to Huntington Beach’s famous parks and recreation trails. Each year, 11 million visitors explore and enjoy these coastlines. Some highlights funding from LWCF has enabled include the Huntington Beach Recreation Trail, more than 36 miles of bike, foot and horse trails; an eight-acre parcel at Huntington State Beach to improve access to the beach; the development of swimming facilities, roads, landscaping, parking, trails, restrooms and showers, concession building, lighting and a handicapped ramp at Huntington State Beach.
- San Onofre State Beach: In 1972, San Onofre State Beach received more than $71,000 in LWCF funds to support park improvements. Those funds helped make San Onofre a worldwide destination, and California’s 5th most visited state park, bringing in more than 2.5 million visitors annually. San Onofre is arguably one of the most unique stretches of beach in California since the park houses world-class surfing, camping, and hiking. The park also provides refuge for 12 threatened and endangered species and contains sacred Native American sites.
- Laguna Beach: In the 1970s, Laguna Main Beach Park received more than $490,000 in LWCF funds to support the expansion and development of the park. The park is an iconic point of interest in Laguna Beach, bordering Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean. The park is enormously popular with local residents and millions of visitors who travel to Laguna Beach each year.
- Newport Beach: In 1974, the City of Newport Beach received more than $21,000 to support oceanfront property acquisition.
- Seal Beach Pier: The Seal Beach Pier received $100,000 in 2008 to support the redevelopment of this popular attraction. The pier is a family-friendly destination that features a lifeguard tower, restaurant, beautiful views of the beach and ocean, and a sculpture of Slick the Seal.
- California’s National Parks: California is extremely fortunate to have many outstanding state and national parks. From the redwood forests to the desert, and to the beaches, LWCF has provided funding to help protect some of California’s most special places and ensure recreational opportunities. California has received approximately $2.447 billion in LWCF funding over the past five decades, protecting places such as Joshua Tree National Park, Golden Gate Park, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia National Park, Redwood National Park and many, many more.
The bill that will permanently reauthorize LWCF if passed, H.R. 502, has widespread, bipartisan support with 232 co-sponsors, including 194 Democrats and 38 Republicans. A companion bill in the Senate, S. 896, also has the support of 7 Republicans and 5 Democrats.
“The support shown by the business community, as well as hundreds of lawmakers, illuminates just how essential LWCF really is,” said Pete Stauffer, Environmental Director for the Surfrider Foundation. “It is absolutely critical that Congress act to reauthorize and fully fund this program. Our coastal communities and communities across the country depend on it.”
California’s federal representatives are key to the reauthorization of LWCF. Many of California’s most loved outdoor spaces, including our iconic coastline, have been protected by LWCF dollars. In total, 39 of California’s 53 representatives are co-sponsors of H.R. 502, but only one Republican — Steve Knight (CA-25). Members like Dana Rohrabacher and Darrell Issa, who represent southern California’s beloved beaches, have yet to weigh in on LWCF.
“LWCF ties into two of our six pillars that we make an effort to live by at my business: ‘Be Green’ and ‘Support Your Community,’” said Andrew Palyniak, Owner and Teacher at Modo Yoga San Diego. “We believe it is important to be positive stewards of our environment, especially here in San Diego with plenty of beautiful coastline, because our environment literally supports our existence and underpins the community we thrive in. Just as in yoga we recognize the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit, we must also recognize the interconnectedness of this program to support for our environment and community.”
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About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Surfrider Foundation now has over 600,000 members in the USA; in addition, International Surfrider Foundation chapters and affiliates have been established in many foreign countries including the Surfrider Foundation Europe (with ongoing programs and Chapters in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy) as well as Japan, Brazil, and Australia.
The Huntington Beach/Seal Beach chapter has more than 2000 members locally and from surrounding areas. The chapter area includes Huntington & Seal Beach Beaches, areas from the San Gabriel River to the Santa Ana River and inland to the Foothills and most of the San Gabriel River Watershed.
About the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is America’s most important conservation program, responsible for protecting parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas at the federal, state and local level. For 50 years, it has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, recreational construction and activities and the continued historic preservation of our nation’s iconic landmarks from coast-to-coast.
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Erin Ivie
Senior Communications Counselor
