ENROLLED 2016 Regular Session HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 127 BY REPRESENTATIVE FOIL A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To express legislative support for the United States Land and Water Conservation Fund. WHEREAS, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has enabled the creation of thousands of parks, commemorative sites, refuges, and other areas for public outdoor recreation since it was first passed by the United States Congress in 1964; and WHEREAS, it has been fifty years since the first projects supported by the LWCF were created in Louisiana, and since then the LWCF has helped create and enhance two national parks, twelve national wildlife refuges, and over seven hundred state and local parks and recreation areas across our state, all of which also contribute substantially to tourism and outdoor recreation revenue for the state, parishes, and local communities; and WHEREAS, the LWCF continues to improve the quality of life for Louisiana's citizens, with park and recreation facilities funded through the LWCF slated for completion in Acadia, Concordia, Jefferson, LaSalle, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington parishes; and WHEREAS, the LWCF is administered in Louisiana by the office of state parks, under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, working in partnership with local communities, parishes, and private supporters; and WHEREAS, the LWCF can play a pivotal role as a fiscal resource for local, city, and parish planning efforts in Louisiana, such as the FUTURE BR Comprehensive Management Plan, Plan Lafayette, the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan, the Shreveport-Caddo 2030 Master Plan, the Vision Sulphur Plan, and the Vermilion Parish Comprehensive Resiliency Plan; and WHEREAS, the LWCF derives its dollars from offshore oil production revenues from the outer continental shelf rather than taxes, and is a dedicated recipient of funds through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, along with Louisiana and other Page 1 of 2 HCR NO. 127 ENROLLED gulf coast states, highlighting our state's coastal needs as a national conservation priority; and WHEREAS, the United States Congress reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund in December 2015, and there is strong bipartisan support for ongoing authorization of this important federal law. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express its support for the United States Land and Water Conservation Fund and its continued beneficial contributions to the state's citizens, economy, and environment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the Louisiana congressional delegation. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 2 of 2