Hoyer and Interior Secretary Visit Douglas Point, Call for Funding of Landmark Recreation & Conservation Program
CHARLES COUNTY, MD. – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today called on Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as they joined state and local conservation leaders at the historic Chiles Homesite on Douglas Point, overlooking the Potomac River. They highlighted the benefits and success of the LWCF during its 50th anniversary year to support outdoor recreation opportunities and historical and archeological preservation. Rep. Hoyer helped secure $2 million to preserve land at Douglas Point, which was created with support from the LWCF in 2000 and 2001 and is cooperatively managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Charles County.
"I was pleased to have Secretary Jewell, who has been an outstanding spokesperson for America's natural resources and a fighter for conservation, visit Douglas Point today," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "Douglas Point has made important contributions to the history and natural splendor of our state and I was proud to have secured funding to protect this site through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I will continue to work in Congress to build support for the reauthorization of this important fund that expires this September."
"Thanks to Congressman Hoyer's many years of leadership, the state of Maryland and the Department of the Interior were able to partner together and permanently preserve one of the last undeveloped tracts along the Potomac River – important to both local history and natural heritage," said Secretary Sally Jewell. "Whether it's a scenic, historic tract like Douglas Point, a ball park or a hiking trail, each of these projects under the Land and Water Conservation fund play an important role in improving the health and vitality of people, especially in urban areas, as well as protecting natural areas and history for future generations of Americans to enjoy. Congress needs to fulfill the promise made fifty years ago to the American people by enacting full and permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund."
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations, and to provide money to federal, state and local governments to purchase land, water and wetlands for the benefit of all Americans. Douglas Points provides great hiking opportunities, and two water-based national trails along the shore of Potomac River including the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
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