Over the past few years, Rep. Dave Reichert has stood apart in Congress as a leader who understands the direct ties between protecting our land, air and water and a strong Washington state. He recently joined 31 fellow Republican House members in signing a letter urging Speaker Boehner to provide robust funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The LWCF provides grant funds to protect our local parks, recreational green spaces and public lands – places like Lake Sammamish State Park and Snoqualmie National Forest.

For me and fellow hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, the access that LWCF provides to enjoy public lands is invaluable. And when we enjoy the outdoors, it boosts local economies – a just-released report by the Outdoor Industry Association found that outdoor recreation contributes an incredible $256 billion to the Western economy each year.

The program doesn’t even use taxpayer dollars. It’s is funded from a fraction of the proceeds from federal offshore oil and gas leasing royalties. The LWCF has enjoyed bipartisan support, but continued cuts to the program would cause hardships for landowners, communities and local economies.

Thank you, Rep Reichert, for helping us pass along our hunting, fishing and love-of-the-outdoors traditions to the next generation.

Marci Stokke, Sammamish