Wilderness Act lauded
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News from the Montana Wildlife Federation
The Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) joined conservation organizations around Montana and the nation last week in celebrating the 50th anniversary of two significant conservation laws made in the 20th century: the Wilderness Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.
On Sept. 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson put his signature on these two landmark laws, ushering in a new era of protection for America’s public lands and outdoor heritage.
The Wilderness Act established a process for permanently protecting public lands from road construction, logging, mining, and other development. The Act designated the first 9.1 million acres of wilderness, including the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. Since 1964, slightly more than 100 million additional acres of wilderness have been designated nationwide.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was intended to set aside a portion of federal revenues from offshore oil and gas development to support the protection of public lands and waters. Throughout the last 50 years, LWCF has still resulted in about $16 billion in spending nationwide, protecting everything from national forest wilderness lands to urban parks.
Montana has received more than $400 million in funding.
“Montana has benefited enormously over the last 50 years from both the LWCF and the Wilderness Act,” said MWF Executive Director Dave Chadwick. “Our public lands provide habitat for fish and wildlife and recreational opportunity for hunters, anglers, backpackers, and other outdoors enthusiasts. They also support a sustainable, multi-billion dollar economy that creates tens of thousands of jobs.”
