A federal fund that supports parks and open spaces across the nation has been spared, but was reduced to half its former funding level.

The 50-year-old Land and Water Conservation Fund lapsed when Congress failed to reauthorize it by Sept. 30, but it was reinstated as part of the federal spending bill earlier this month — albeit at half its former funding level.

The fund sets aside $900 million a year to fund projects such as trails, playgrounds and recreation centers. However, opponents said a greater portion should go to state and local projects and to maintain existing park infrastructure rather than to purchase more land, which they argued takes away from the local tax base.

Supporters of the bill celebrated its resuscitation as a victory for natural resources and cultural heritage. 

“The Congress has reaffirmed America’s commitment to conservation and our outdoor recreation heritage,” said Bob Brown, vice chairman of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.  

However, supporters of the fund say there is still more work to do, as the spending bill gave the program only a three-year reprieve and funds it at only half of the original funding level. 

A map of projects funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund — including many in Western North Carolina, is available at www.wilderness.org/mapping-land-and-water-conservation-fund-lwcf.