June 02, 2022

Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $2.7 Million for Land and Water Conservation Fund Projects in West Virginia

Historic amount of funding will help protect and preserve West Virginia’s iconic public lands and waters

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $2,747,181 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through the Department of the Interior for recreation and restoration projects in state and local parks across West Virginia. This funding was made available through Chairman Manchin’s historic Great American Outdoors Act, which was enacted in 2020 and made the full $900 million in annual LWCF funding permanent and mandatory.

“I’m glad to see the Department of the Interior continue to implement my Great American Outdoors Act by providing a historic level of LWCF funds to West Virginia. With 54 of our 55 counties having received LWCF investments at some point, the benefits of LWCF can be felt across the Mountain State. These funds are critical to supporting our state’s strong and growing outdoor recreation economy and strengthening our local communities. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this investment and, as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to ensure West Virginia’s treasured public lands are preserved and protected for generations to come,” said Chairman Manchin.

“This funding is welcome news as we celebrate Great Outdoors Month this June! I joined my colleagues last week on a resolution to make this distinction to highlight the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities available in our country, especially in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “West Virginia is home to countless parks, beautiful recreational areas, historic trails, and the nation’s newest national park and preserve. That is exactly why it’s so important that we protect these areas, and provide ample resources to maintain their beauty and splendor for generations to come. I will continue to advocate for innovative ways to increase outdoor recreation opportunities in our state, while also protecting the wild and wonderful aspects of West Virginia.”

Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF has funded $5.1 billion to support 45,000 projects in almost every county in the country. At no cost to taxpayers, the LWCF supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreation areas – and provides matching competitive grants to state governments for the acquisition and development of public parks and other outdoor recreation sites. This investment also helps support locally led outdoor recreation and conservation projects to protect and enhance our nation’s public lands and waters.