Congressman Charles Bass

Joined by influential environmental organizations to stress continued support for conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund

April 11, 2012

CONCORD – At a press conference in Concord this morning, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) reiterated his strong support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and other conservation programs like the Community Forest Program that are important to New Hampshire, calling them vital to preserving our state's natural resources and preserving our economic well-being.

Bass was joined by Will Manzer, the CEO of Eastern Mountain Sports; Jane Difley, the President and Forester of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests; and Daryl Burtnett, State Director for the Nature Conservancy at the press conference this morning.

Bass said:

"I have long been a supporter of conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Community Forest Program because they have had a positive impact on preserving our state's resources and boosting our economy. The active outdoor recreation industry alone helps to support more than 50,000 jobs in New Hampshire, and the forest products and tourism industries support thousands of jobs in the North Country.

"I will continue working with my colleagues in the New Hampshire Delegation and others to ensure we adequately fund these programs during the appropriations process and make certain that ongoing conservation projects in our state can continue."

Bass recently supported two bipartisan letters to the House Appropriations Committee urging sufficient funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Community Forest Program during the Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations process. Last year, Bass' bipartisan, fully-offset amendment to restore funding for LWCF passed the House during floor debate on the Interior Appropriations Bill.

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At Eastern Mountain Sports in Concord on April 11 to talk about why the Land and Water Conservation Fund is important to New Hampshire.  From L to R: Jane Difley, President of Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests; Will Manzer, CEO... of Eastern Mountain Sports; Bass; Rob Riley, President of the Northern Forest Center; Susan Arnold, Vice President for Conservation, Appalachian Mountain Club; Jim O'Brien with The Nature Conservancy; Susie Hackler with Conservation NH; Rodger Krussman with the NH and VT Trust for Public Lands; and Charlie Levesque, Board Member for the Harris Center.