House Passes Historic Legislation to Permanently Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Statement

On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1957, the Great American Outdoors Act. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) voted for the measure. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.

The Great American Outdoors Act permanently funds the Land and Water Conversation Fund (LWCF) and will allow work to begin on a nearly $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects on federal lands, including more than $459 million in North Carolina's national parks. In North Carolina's Third Congressional District, Cape Hatteras National Seashore will receive $49,834,106, and Cape Lookout National Seashore will receive $27,718,515 as a result of this legislation. The LWCF provides money for the following federal lands in the Third District:

National Forests

Croatan National Forest
National Wildlife Refuges

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge
National Parks

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Wright Brothers National Memorial
"Eastern North Carolinians understand the importance of conservation, considering the beautiful land and shorelines that we are so fortunate to enjoy. Our district has a tremendous amount of federal lands and providing the money that they need to properly function is a priority of mine. I am proud to support this landmark legislation that will ensure the many federal lands in our district will permanently have the funding they need to operate," said Murphy.

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