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JUN-19-69 WED 13:38 NRPA FAX NO. 703 671 6772 P. 01 • ReCre1t rte wow NATIONAL RECREATION . •' I ' • ��_ AND DARK ASSOCIATION Date: June 18, 1996 Contact: Denise Coulter 703/578-5546 Issues: All Barry Tindall 703/820-4940 [List Number 6lq) House Committee Eliminates State, Local Recreation Programs Funding for State, Local Recreation Aid Debated Wednesday Background: The House Appropriations Committee today recommended no FY 97 funds for Land and Water Conservation Fund state assistance and the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery programs. The Interior appropriations bill - H.R. 36.62 - is scheduled for flooraction on Wednesday, June 19, 1996. . LWCF state assistance was authorized. by,Congress to invest royalties arising from the deple- tion of offshore oil resources in a nationwide network of public parks_ Congress has routinely di- verted. money from the .fund, spending a mere 10% of the authorized amount ($900 million) for its 'Fintended purposes: Now, Congress is proposing to cut LWCF to its lowest level since the 1960's_ urther, the House committee report contains guidance to 'close-out" the state assistance program. The actionalso wouldput some_of 'the 37,000 previously aided LWCF projects at risk by eliminating. the capacity to monitor 'in perpetuity' requirements.. H.R. 3662 also continues the shut down the :UrbanPark Recreation and 'RecoveryPro gram (UPARR), which is critical to the restoration of urban park and recreation facilities. In the nation's most distressed cities andurban counties. These facilities and programs are important to children and families subject to high levels of crime and'violence: Status: Two floor amendments are expected to be offered tomorrow (Wednesday). US Rep. George Miller (D-CA7) will move to transfer $10 million from taxpayer subsidies for energy companies to re-fund the UPARR program. US Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA17) will move to restore about $27 million to the Land and Water Conservation.Fund for state/local grants.. Action: Call your representative immediately and urge support for the Farr (LWCF) and Miller (UPARR) amendments to H.R. 3662. Contact your representative at the Capitol switchboard: 202/224- 3121. • Message: These public. partnerships address critical socialand environmental conditions. Recreation-as- prevention has-helped reduce juvenile crime up to 50% in several.American communities. State and cal governments require about $30 billion through 1999 to restore existing facilities, construct new 1111Fnes and conserve land and water.. Only about 40% will be available from non-federal.sources_. Moreover, eliminating partnership funds is inconsistent with the nationalgoal of controlling long term federal spending. State/local investments avoid higher federal expenditures by-encouraging state and local responses before crises arise. Also, cite personal/local conditionsand experiences.