Funding Water Quality Improvement Projects through Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This act expands the use of federal funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), allowing states to allocate them for water quality improvement projects. This means more money can be spent on restoring natural water systems, such as wetlands, directly impacting the cleanliness of local rivers and lakes, thereby enhancing the natural environment and outdoor recreation. These funds must be used for projects employing natural solutions and cannot reimburse already completed work.
Key points
Expansion of LWCF: Funds previously focused primarily on outdoor recreation can now also be used for water quality improvement projects.
Focus on Natural Solutions: Funding is only available for projects that improve water quality by restoring or developing natural hydrological systems (e.g., wetlands, living shorelines).
State Planning Requirement: To receive funds, state outdoor recreation plans must now identify impaired water bodies and proposed water quality projects.
No Expansion of Federal Authority: The act explicitly states it does not expand Federal Government authority over nonnavigable waters or authorize the Secretary to regulate water quality projects.
Expired
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