Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today voted to support a public lands package to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and protect 1.3 million acres of new wilderness, including the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area in Washington state.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the cornerstone of environmental conservation and has helped to preserve Washington state’s public lands as well as Puget Sound’s estuaries, rivers and streams,” said Larsen. “Over the last 50 years, the LWCF has helped to protect and restore green spaces like Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Chuckanut Bay and the Wild Sky Wilderness for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation contributes more than $26 billion each year to Washington state’s economy and supports more than 200,000 jobs.

“A healthy environment is vital to Washingtonians’ way of life and the regional economy,” Larsen continued. “Permanent reauthorization of the LWCF will help ensure 200,000 jobs and billions of dollars in local economic revenue.”

Larsen has long-called for permanent reauthorization of the LWCF. Last year, Larsen sent a letter to then-Speaker Paul Ryan and then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling for Congress to pass legislation to permanently authorize and allocate mandatory funding for the LWCF.