Tom Shepstone
Shepstone Management Company, Inc.

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The oil and gas industry has long funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund, although it’s not especially well known outside the industry itself.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. “Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports 10.9 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.” Today, though, it put out a rather important news release regarding the industry’s largely unknown role in financing the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The American Petroleum Institute today released the following statement regarding bipartisan passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which would provide permanent, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – as well as funding to address the estimated $22 billion maintenance backlog of the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Indian Education.

“There is broad support for important programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is almost entirely funded by revenues generated by offshore oil and natural gas production,” Vice President of Upstream Policy Lem Smith said. “These programs underscore the need to continue safe development of domestic offshore energy reserves. Domestic access to federal waters strengthens America’s energy security and supports economic interests while funding important conservation projects. Policies that end or limit production in federal waters would put these essential conservation funds in doubt.”

The LWCF supports the protection of federal public lands and waters. LWCF grants have funded projects in every county in the U.S., counting over 40,000 projects since 1965 with total funding provided of almost $4 billion. Offshore oil and gas revenues fund almost the entire LWCF program, supporting water conservation programs, wildlife habitats, national parks, hiking, hunting, and fishing. LWCF investments secure public access, improve recreational opportunities and preserve ecosystem benefits for local communities.

More than $227 million will be distributed from LWCF to all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia for specified park and outdoor recreation and conservation. According to the Interior Department, this is an increase of $57 million over 2019’s LWCF distribution.

Rather interesting contrast to our other story today, isn’t it? The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been around for a very long time. Years ago, I helped secure grants from the fund for projects in Wayne County, in fact. Yet, most folks are unaware of it.

There are similar programs in places such as Michigan which has a Natural Resources Trust Fund financed by oil and gas. It was established in 1976 to “provide a permanent funding source for the public acquisition of land for resource protection and public outdoor recreation. Funding is provided by revenue derived from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned oil, gas and mineral rights. This landmark piece of legislation came to fruition thanks to the collaborative efforts of Michigan Oil and Gas Association (MOGA), Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and state legislators on behalf of all Michigan citizens.” Read more about it here.

Yes, oil and gas is doing conservation work and has been for a very long time. We need to talk more about it, so pass the word!