In 1964, Congress established the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to purchase public lands for open space and outdoor recreation, using revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling leases. In addition to funding land purchases for national parks, wildlife refuges and forests throughout the country, LWCF has made more than $3.2 billion in matching grants to states for the purchase, development, and improvement of open space and outdoor recreation areas. LWCF grants have funded the protection of lands reaching from California's redwood forests to New Jersey's pinelands. These land purchases have given millions of Americans the opportunity to enjoy scenery and historic sites, bike along seaside and lakeside trails, picnic and play ball at local parks, and enjoy public pools. 

One of the first acts of the 104th Congress was to eliminate LWCF's state-side matching grant program. After four years of no funding, concerns over dwindling open space, overtaxed recreational facilities, and the rapid rate of urban sprawl have triggered bipartisan efforts to resuscitate the state grant program. 

During consideration of the Fiscal Year 2000 Interior appropriations bill, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), Tom Campbell (R-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Joseph Hoeffel (D-PA) introduced an amendment to replenish LWCF with $30 million in state grants. On July 13, 1999, the House adopted the amendment 213–202. YES is the pro-environment vote.