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Open Space Institute Commends Biden Administration’s Order Strengthening the Land and Water Conservation Act

Image Credit: Greg Miller

New York, NY (February 11, 2021)—The Open Space Institute today praised Acting Secretary of the Interior Scott De Le Vega’s move to reverse harmful changes to the Federal Land and Water Conservation Act, put in place in the final days of the Trump administration.

“Today’s actions by the Biden administration provide a swift and certain commitment to protecting the integrity, spirit, and vision of LWCF,” said OSI president and CEO, Kim Elliman. “These actions, along with announced plans to tackle climate change and conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030 set the stage for a new national commitment to meeting the most pressing environmental challenge of time, protecting our nation’s most precious natural resources, and improving public access to nature for all.”

The new orders reverse restrictions on federal conservation projects, restores funding to improve outdoor access for underserved communities, revises the LWCF State Assistance Manual to remove restrictive policies, and brings LWCF programming back in line with Congressional intent. The reversal also reinstates funding to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program – supporting parks and greenspaces in underserved areas that need it most.

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