The President’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget, released in late May, throws federal conservation funding into a high level of uncertainty. The administration’s budget proposal cuts many conservation funding programs. However, Congress will make the final decision on the 2018 budget. Congress’ 2017 spending bill, which was broadly positive for conservation programs, gives hope that Congress will push back against the worst of the administration’s proposals.
The budget would cut funding to the Environmental Protection Agency by almost a third, reducing the total funding to $5.65 billion. Here in Washington State, hard fought funding for Puget Sound recovery would be eliminated, endangering Puget Sound projects and funding for the Puget Sound Partnership.
Additionally, the budget eliminates funding to the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund. This fund, administered through NOAA, provides a critical federal match to our state Salmon Recovery Funding Board dollars.
The proposal completely eviscerates the Land and Water Conservation Fund — including zeroing out the Forest Legacy Program and Section 6 entirely. The budget proposes only $64 million for LWCF, an 84% cut to the previous year’s level, covering administrative costs only and no projects. Bipartisan efforts in both the House and Senate are underway to pass full, dedicated and permanent funding for LWCF to avoid the consequences of such a drastic cut.
The budget is not kind to Farm Bill programs either. If Congress were to enact the Administration’s budget proposal, USDA would be cut by 21%, with an additional $228 billion in cuts over the next 10 years from the Administration’s proposed farm bill policy changes. One of the most devastating changes is that the budget eliminates the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is funded at the authorized level of $250 million.
Land trusts need to be in communication with their members of Congress to advocate for robust funding for conservation programs in the next Farm Bill and budget.
As the prospects for federal funding become more uncertain, it is even more important that the Washington State Legislature invests in protecting Puget Sound, forest health, and farmland. We’ll update you as we learn how the state budget fares in the coming weeks.