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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced his support for President George W. Bush, who earlier today called on Congress to enact his budget request for the historic funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

"It's clear that the President's plan gives us more money with fewer strings attached," Mayor Giuliani said. "With this kind of funding, local officials are able to determine what's best for local projects."

Under the President's Fiscal Year 2002 budget request, New York will receive a record amount of $16.773 million for state and local conservation efforts from the LWCF. For the first time since the Fund's inception almost four decades ago, the LWCF will be funded at the fully authorized level of $900 million and 50 percent-$450 million-will go to the states.

President's Bush's plan represents a $360 million increase over last year's funding levels, with every state receiving significantly more LWCF resources that FY01 levels. The new block grant format is designed to give states greater flexibility to use these funds not only for park and recreation purposes, but also for wildlife conservation, wetlands restoration, and protection of imperiled species and their habitats.

Originally launched by Congress in 1965, the LWCF has provided over $8 billion for new park and recreation land purchases. It has also provided more than $3 billion in matching grants to states and local communities for the improvement of parks and recreational facilities across the country.