Thanks to the efforts of Land Between the Lakes supporters, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and First District Congressman James Comer the Land Between the Lakes Preservation Act was included in the federal omnibus spending bill that was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Friends of LBL Board member Howell Hopson of Trigg County says the need to protect the recreation area came about after U. S. Forest Service officials contemplated closing the Homeplace 1850 unless money was raised to continue operating the facility. Hopson says two members of the Kentucky Congressional delegation have been working on new legislation to protect the recreation area.
click to download audioHopson says the protection act that was recently passed was a step in the right direction.
click to download audioHe says the legislation also calls for more oversight and scrutiny by the Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board.
click to download audioHopson says friends and supporters of the Land Between the Lakes will continue to monitor the operation of the recreation area. The original legislation called for $8,000,000 each year to operate and maintain facilities at LBL. The salaries of the U.S. Forest Service personnel that operate LBL and law enforcement officials who patrol the recreation area are funded through the U.S. Forest Service budget through the Department of the Interior.
