CARVER'S GAP, NC – On Wednesday, August 6, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join U.S. Senator Richard Burr, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Butch Blazer and state and local officials to highlight the positive economic impacts and conservation successes of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the natural and recreational heritage of the Southern Appalachians area.
Over the past 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has served as one of the most effective tools for conservation, outdoor recreation and economic growth in local communities; however, it is set to expire next year without action from Congress. The program has re-invested a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas development into projects in all 50 states and U.S. territories, creating community parks and trails, conserving Civil War battlefields and protecting clean water sources.
The North Carolina visit is the first stop in a series of events Jewell is holding across the country this week with local elected officials and stakeholders to support President Obama's budget proposal to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
WHO:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Richard Burr, U.S. Senator of North Carolina
Butch Blazer, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment
Mike Murphy, Director, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
Mike Leonard, Chairman, The Conservation Fund
WHAT:
Event to Highlight the Importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund's Contributions to Conserving Treasured Landscapes and Outdoor Recreation
WHEN:
Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 1:30 pm EDT
WHERE:
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Parkway Milepost 384
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC
RSVP:
Credentialed members of the media interested in covering the event are encouraged to RSVP HERE by August 5, 2014, at 6:00 pm EDT
Source: Department of Interior
