The Land Conservation, Preservation, and Infrastructure Improvement (LCPII) fund, established in 2000, was designed to address threats facing our nation's natural and cultural heritage -- loss of open space, wildlife habitat, wildlands, and cultural treasures threatened by urban sprawl and development. The fund provides monies for LWCF and other conservation spending, but requires yearly appropriations from Congress and expires after FY2006.

The legislation set aside $12 billion from FY01 through FY06 in a special "conservation spending" budget category. LCPII funding is still subject to annual appropriations, but unlike LWCF, the funds cannot be diverted for other purposes, and unspent balances are available the following year.

In recent years however, the Administration has called for cuts to LCPII funding. Because the fund only runs through FY06, we are concerned about the long-term funding for programs under this fund.

The LCPII provides funds for:

• LWCF: for federal and state acquisition and conservation programs
• State Wildlife Grants: matching grants for design and implementation of habitat and wildlife conservation plans to help states conserve and restore decline native species before listing under the Endangered Species Act is required.
• Cooperative Endangered Species Fund: grants to state for species and habitat conservation on non-federal lands for species listed or proposed under the Endangered Species Act.
• Forest Legacy: grants to state to help private landowners preserve working forest lands that might otherwise be lost to development.
• North American Wetlands Conservation Fund: acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of fragile wetlands that promote flood control, increase water quality, improve wildlife habitat, provide public recreation, sustain our cultural heritage, among others.
• Historic Preservation Fund: matching grants to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and to all 50 states and U.S. territories.
• Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR): provides matching grants and technical assistance to economically distressed urban communities to develop close-to-home recreational opportunities.
• Urban and Community Forestry: matching grants and technical assistance to communities to protect and maintain natural landscapes, with an emphasis on the urban forest canopy.
• Federal Deferred Maintenance: maintenance needs on National Wildlife Refuges, Parks, Forests, and BLM lands.
• Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILT): payments to units of local governments for federally owned land within their jurisdictions.