We need your help to ensure ongoing preservation of the Chattahoochee River corridor and the continued expansion of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has been at the vanguard of land conservation efforts for fifty years, expired on September 30. Every day that passes with no LWCF means less money for conservation.
Fortunately, LWCF enjoys bipartisan support, and many members of Congress have signed on as sponsors of S. 569, legislation that would allocate the full $900 million in LWCF for its intended purpose. And while S. 569 was voted out of committee to the floor of the Senate, the calendar is not on our side. Congress is currently in session, but the list of issues in front of our legislators is long. Please act now: call Georgia’s senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue today and urge them to join the bipartisan list of Senators sponsoring S. 569.
LWCF investments in the Chattahoochee River NRA have yielded tremendous economic benefits to metro Atlanta and Georgia. Every year, nearly 3 million visitors to the Chattahoochee CRNRA spend over $118 Million in communities near the park, supporting more than 1,723 jobs according to the National Park Service. Statewide, Georgia’s outdoor recreation economy creates $27.3 billion in consumer spending and 238,000 jobs. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor recreation activities contribute a total of $646 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting 6.1 million jobs. In Georgia that amounts to $23.3 billion in economic activity and 231,000 jobs.
The Chattahoochee River NRA encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of land – 15% of greater Atlanta’s public greenspace. Nearly 2.8 million visitors used the CRNRA for running, hiking, paddling, kayaking, fishing, cycling, birdwatching, and tubing last year. Reauthorizing LWCF will ensure that Atlanta's largest park continues to grow and flourish. Without this funding, we will lose opportunities to acquire important land along our river.
Fortunately, LWCF enjoys bipartisan support, and many members of Congress have signed on as sponsors of S. 569, legislation that would allocate the full $900 million in LWCF for its intended purpose. And while S. 569 was voted out of committee to the floor of the Senate, the calendar is not on our side. Congress is currently in session, but the list of issues in front of our legislators is long. Please act now: call Georgia’s senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue today and urge them to join the bipartisan list of Senators sponsoring S. 569.
LWCF investments in the Chattahoochee River NRA have yielded tremendous economic benefits to metro Atlanta and Georgia. Every year, nearly 3 million visitors to the Chattahoochee CRNRA spend over $118 Million in communities near the park, supporting more than 1,723 jobs according to the National Park Service. Statewide, Georgia’s outdoor recreation economy creates $27.3 billion in consumer spending and 238,000 jobs. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor recreation activities contribute a total of $646 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting 6.1 million jobs. In Georgia that amounts to $23.3 billion in economic activity and 231,000 jobs.
The Chattahoochee River NRA encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of land – 15% of greater Atlanta’s public greenspace. Nearly 2.8 million visitors used the CRNRA for running, hiking, paddling, kayaking, fishing, cycling, birdwatching, and tubing last year. Reauthorizing LWCF will ensure that Atlanta's largest park continues to grow and flourish. Without this funding, we will lose opportunities to acquire important land along our river.
How the LWCF Helps the Chattahoochee
The Land & Water Conservation Fund has been the lifeblood of for land preservation along the Chattahoochee. LWCF is not funded with taxpayer dollars, but through a portion of revenue collected from offshore oil and gas drilling leases. The LWCF has provided more than $40 million to help acquire 27 different properties totaling more than 800 acres within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Click here to learn more about the program's impact all across Georgia.
What the Chattahoochee Means to Atlanta
CLEAN WATER
70% of Metro Atlanta relies upon the Chattahoochee for its water supply |
ECONOMIC ENGINE
Visitors spent an estimated $119.1 million while visiting Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in 2016, supporting 1,800 jobs |
GREENWAY VISION
A broad coalition of government and nonprofit partners has preserved 18,000 acres & 80 miles of Chattahoochee riverfront |
RESOURCE AT RISK
In 2016, American Rivers named the Chattahoochee as one of our nation's most endangered waterways |
VITAL GREENSPACE
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area accounts for 15% of all parkland in metro Atlanta* and attracts 3,000,000 visitors each year |
*Metro Atlanta refers to the ten core counties
Organizations working to preserve your Chattahoochee
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ACT NOW - Support the Chattahoochee
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CALL SENATOR ISAKSON AND SENATOR PERDUE
Tell them how much the Chattahoochee means to you and urge them to cosponsor S. 569 Senator Johnny Isakson 202-224-3643 Senator David Perdue 202-224-3521 |
JOIN OUR TEAM
Get involved; help recruit your friends & family · Sign up to get our email updates · Sign the LWCF petition · Forward this website to your friends |