VVF Statement on House NRC moving closer to fully funded LWCF

WASHINGON, DC – We applaud the House Natural Resources Committee for moving our nation closer to a fully funded Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually. Through this action, members of Congress have displayed not only their commitment to our public lands but also their commitment to our nation’s veterans and military families.

Veterans have long-turned to our public lands as they – as we – transition back to civilian life. Whether it was Earl Shaffer “walking off the war” and becoming the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in the wake of World War II or veterans of the Global War on Terror spending time using our nation’s public lands to help in their transition back to civilian life, the simple fact is that public lands very important to veterans and military families.

Today’s action was critically important. But the fight to protect our public lands is far from over.

We call upon Congress to move quickly to finish the job they started and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund — for veterans, for military families, for everybody.

Garett Reppenhagen, Iraq War Veteran
Vet Voice Foundations Western States Director