Montana parks, access at risk from federal funding shift
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Park officials in Montana say recent federal changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund could hinder efforts to create and maintain parks, especially in underserved neighborhoods. The Department of the Interior issued the new rules in September and says the changes are designed to increase local control and streamline the program.
Donna Gaulker, Missoula's parks and recreation director, explained the fund provides critical matching dollars that local communities struggle to raise on their own, and hopes to secure these funds for a new project.
"Another neighborhood that is very underserved in parkland access, living in high-density housing with no yards or access to any outdoor spaces for healthy living," she said. "We would obviously love to see continued full funding of LWCF."
The new Secretarial Order, issued in early September, prohibits LWCF projects that expand outdoor recreation access within National Monuments and other protected areas. Conservation groups say this could block access to tens of thousands of acres of public land across Montana.
Conservation advocates argue the changes threaten popular parks and recreation areas across the state that benefit all residents.
Lindsay Wancour-Torres, Missoula regional organizer of Montana Conservation Voters, pointed to several Missoula parks made possible by LWCF funding, including community hubs such as Caras and Kiwanis parks.
"Those both are really great community convening spots," she said. "At Caras you'll have the farmers market right around there, Brewfest. There's a climate fest, the Missoula marathon always has big events there in the middle of the summer. It's just a really great place, really central to downtown."
The order also gives state and local jurisdictions veto power over federal public land projects and prohibits partnerships with nonprofit organizations on certain conservation projects. Conservation groups warn this could delay or prevent now-or-never land-acquisition opportunities.
