Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, April 2, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the National Park Service (NPS) has approved over $200,000 in federal dollars for Green Hills Wildlife Park in Platte County Missouri.

“This park marks yet another success in providing opportunities for all Missourians to enjoy the great outdoors," said Bond. “These funds show the strong commitment of the Federal government to give local communities the means necessary to meet their goals.”

Through the NPS Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Platte County will receive a matching grant of $207,716 to acquire and devlop approximately 48 acres of parkland located in the southern portion of the county.

In 1964, Congress enacted the LWCF to award conservation funds obtained through offshore oil leasing revenues. Through almost forty years, LWCF has consistently provided matching funds to state agencies and local communities emphasizing a leadership role for states in planning, funding and providing nationwide recreation opportunities. To ensure its long-term viability, all property acquired or developed with LWCF assistance must be maintained in public recreation use. These tens of thousands of outdoor sites are continuing legacies, not just for today’s citizens but for future generations of Americans.

Earlier this year, Senator Bond announced over $800,000 in LWCF grants for an additional six Missouri cities, to help them as they establish and maintain recreation sites throughout the state. Since the program’s creation, the federal government has given $3.2 billion to local communities throughout the country.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.