Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2023

Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2023

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance for water quality improvement projects from amounts made available under the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Interior shall only provide such financial assistance to projects that seek to improve water quality by improving, restoring, remediating, or developing natural hydrological systems, such as wetlands or living shorelines.

To be eligible for assistance, a state's comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan shall identify

• any body of water within the state for which a water quality control plan has been developed pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and
• any proposed water quality project to be conducted with respect to such body of water.

Bill 118 HR 1593, also known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2023, aims to make important changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in order to better protect and preserve our nation's water resources. The LWCF is a federal program that provides funding for the acquisition and protection of land and water resources, as well as for outdoor recreation opportunities.

One key provision of this bill is the authorization of $900 million annually for the LWCF, which is a significant increase from previous funding levels. This additional funding will allow for more projects to be completed and more land and water resources to be protected.

Another important aspect of this bill is the requirement for at least 40% of the funding to be allocated for projects that protect water resources, such as wetlands, rivers, and lakes. This focus on water conservation is crucial for ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of our nation's water supply. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies in order to maximize the impact of LWCF funding. This will help ensure that projects are prioritized based on their environmental and recreational benefits, as well as their potential to address pressing water conservation issues. Overall, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2023 represents a significant step forward in protecting our nation's water resources and ensuring that future generations will have access to clean and abundant water supplies.