Please Pass Full Funding of the Title VIII Conservation Trust- Template

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Dear _______:

The National Council of Youth Sports membership represents 52 million boys and girls in organized youth sports program across America. We request full funding of the Title VIII Conservation Trust.

These wholesome activities provide vitally needed supervised after-school programs, keep children off the streets and out of trouble, assist in keeping youth active stamping out obesity and other health issues, and provide positive lasting qualities to a decent and natural society.

Please pass full funding of the Land Conservation, Preservation, and Infrastructure Improvement program (also know as the Title VIII Conservation Trust) at $1.44 billion.

We recognize the original intent of LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Fund) as a long-term investment of proceeds from sales of non-renewable resources to acquire land and water within our nation’s national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands, and enhanced recreation opportunities at the state and community levels. That is why we support the use of LWCF funds for these purposes but not for programs outside of its legislative mandate.

Please pass full funding of the Stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at no less than the Administration's request of $200 million.

Also, through the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR), the National Park Service actively partners with city and county governments to revitalize existing recreation facilities and systems, and return them to full public use. These are the critically needed facilities our recreation programs depend upon.

Please pass funding for LWCF’s sister program UPARR at $30 million and is in need of continued funding in the FY 2003 budget.

Sincerely,

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