SUMMARY AS OF:
5/4/2000--Introduced.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation
- Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization
- Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration
- Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments
- Title V: Historic Preservation Fund
- Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration
- Title VII: Farmland Protection Program and Endangered and Threatened
Species
- Recovery
- Subtitle A: Farmland Protection Program
- Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery
Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000 - Requires: (1) Governors of each
State receiving monies from the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund
(established under this Act) to report on June 15 of each year to the
Secretaries of the Interior or of Agriculture, as appropriate, accounting for
the money received for the previous fiscal year, including the funded projects
and activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to
Congress on monies the Departments of the Interior and of Agriculture have spent
out of the Fund, including a summary of such Governors' reports.
(Sec. 5) Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF).
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into CRAF certain Outer
Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed amounts under title I of this Act, and
certain interest earned on CRAF investments.
Transfers all amounts deposited into the CRAF as follows: (1) to the
Secretary of the Interior for payment of $1 billion to States for impact
assistance and coastal conservation, $125 million for the Urban Park and
Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, $100 million for the National Historic
Preservation Act, and $50 million to develop and implement Endangered and
Threatened Species Recovery Agreements; (2) to the Secretaries of the Interior
and of Agriculture for payment of $200 million for Federal and Indian land
restoration; (3) to the Secretary of Agriculture $100 million to carry out the
farmland protection program under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996, and the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program and the
Forest Legacy Program established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act
of 1978; (4) to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $900
million; and (5) to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (FAWRF)
established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in the amount of
$350 million. Provides that any shortfalls less than $2.825 billion in a fiscal
year, after FY 2000, proportionally reduce such sums for that fiscal year.
(Sec. 6) Limits the amount available for administrative expenses to two
percent. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the prohibition
contained in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended by this
Act) that bars the use of funds transferred to the FAWRF by this Act for
administrative or execution of program expenses.
(Sec. 8) States that it is the intent of Congress that States not use this
Act as an opportunity to reduce State or local resources for the programs funded
by this Act. Prohibits a State or local government from receiving funds under
this Act during any fiscal year: (1) when its expenditures of non-Federal funds
for recurrent expenditures for programs for which such funding is provided will
be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal
year; or (2) for a program unless the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied
that such a grant will be used to supplement and, to the extent practicable,
increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for
such program. Exempts a State or local government from such prohibition if the
Secretary determines that a reduction in expenditures is: (1) attributable to a
non-selective reduction in the expenditures in the programs of all executive
branch agencies of such entity; or (2) a result of reductions in State or local
revenue as a result of a downturn in the economy. Treats all funds received by a
State or local government under this Act as Federal funds for purposes of
compliance with provisions in effect under other law requiring that non-Federal
funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project.
(Sec. 10) Prohibits: (1) the taking of private property in whole or in part,
without just compensation; and (2) Federal agencies, using funds appropriated by
this Act, from applying any regulation on any lands until the lands or water or
an interest therein is acquired, unless authorized to do so by another Act of
Congress.
(Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to design a standardized
sign and, where appropriate, require its installation at sites receiving funds
under this Act.
Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation - Directs the
Secretary of the Interior to allocate such transferred CRAF payments to coastal
States for impact assistance and coastal conservation only if such States have:
(1) a Secretary-approved Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan;
(2) agreed to provide specified reports; and (3) certain necessary fiscal
control and fund accounting procedures.
(Sec. 101) Sets forth the formula for allocating such funds to coastal States
and coastal political subdivisions.
(Sec. 102) Requires the development and submission of a Coastal State
Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan by each coastal State seeking to receive
grants under this title (and in the case of a producing State, the Governor) to
incorporate the plans of the coastal political subdivisions into the Statewide
plan for transmittal to the Secretary of the Interior for approval or
disapproval before the disbursement of CRAF funds. Specifies authorized uses of
the CRAF funds.
Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization - Amends the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide that all CRAF funds
transferred to the Land and Water Conservation Fund shall be covered into the
Fund.
(Sec. 203) Makes $900 million available each fiscal year after FY 2001 for
expenditure without further appropriation, to be allocated as follows: (1) 50
percent for Federal purposes; and (2) 50 percent for State grants.
(Sec. 205) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the Federal portion of
such funds for any land or water interest acquisition except those specified and
approved by Congress in the appropriate appropriations Act. Prescribes: (1) a
procedure for preparing and transmitting to Congress of a list of proposed
Federal acquisitions; and (2) notification to specified officials of affected
areas with respect to such proposed acquisitions.
(Sec. 206) Revises the formula used to allocate amounts made available for
State purposes from the Fund each fiscal year. Requires reapportionment of such
funds to other States. Makes all federally recognized Indian tribes, or in the
case of Alaska, Native Corporations eligible to receive shares of such
apportionment in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the
Secretary of the Interior. Requires each State, with an exception, to make
available as grants to local governments at least 50 percent of its annual
apportionment or an equivalent amount made available from other sources.
(Sec. 207) Revises the requirement that a State have a comprehensive
statewide outdoor recreation plan as a prerequisite to consideration by the
Secretary of the Interior of financial assistance for acquisition or development
projects. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for
selection of outdoor conservation and recreation acquisition and development
projects eligible for grants under this Act if the priorities and criteria
defined are consistent with the purposes of this Act, the State provides for
public involvement in this process, and publishes an accurate and current State
Action Agenda for Community Conservation and Recreation, within five years after
enactment of this Act, indicating the needs it has identified and the priorities
and criteria it has established. Allows an existing Comprehensive State Plan to
remain in effect until the appropriate State adopts a State Action Agenda.
(Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to approve, subject to certain conditions,
the conversion of property (other than for public outdoor recreation use)
acquired or developed with assistance under the Act only if the State
demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative exists. Exempts from such
requirement those properties that no longer meet the criteria within the State
Plan or Agenda as an outdoor conservation and recreation facility due to changes
in demographics, or that must be abandoned because of environmental
contamination which endangers public health and safety.
(Sec. 210) Provides that nothing in this title shall affect any State or
Federal water law or an interstate compact governing water, alter any
allocations of water rights, or create any new water rights.
Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal
Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require CRAF funds transferred for
FAWRA purposes to be deposited in a new subaccount in the FAWRF, to be made
available without further appropriation, for apportionment in each fiscal year
for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs.
(Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for: (1) apportionment of such subaccount
funds; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State
wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. Prohibits
such funds from being used for expenses incurred in the administration and
execution of programs. Limits to ten percent the use of such funds for
wildlife-associated recreation.
(Sec. 305) Allows the subaccount funds to be used for a wildlife conservation
education program. Exempts education efforts, projects, or programs that promote
or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife.
(Sec. 306) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it
diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes.
Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments -
Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to make transferred
CRAF funds available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further
appropriation, to assist local governments in improving their park and
recreation systems. Sets forth limits on the use of such funds.
(Sec. 404) Provides for the development of new recreation areas and
facilities (including the acquisition of lands for such development) under the
urban park and recreation recovery program.
(Sec. 406) Revises requirements for: (1) Federal assistance grant
eligibility; (2) matching grants to local governments for rehabilitation,
development, acquisition, and innovation purposes; (3) local park and recreation
recovery action programs; (4) State action incentives; and (5) conversion of
recreation property for any other purposes other than public recreation
purposes.
(Sec. 411) Repeals sunset provisions and congressional reporting requirements
with respect to: (1) the impact of the urban park and recreation recovery
program; and (2) the annual achievements of the innovation grant program.
Title V: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic
Preservation Act to provide that amounts transferred from the CRAF each fiscal
year shall be deposited into the Historic Preservation Fund to be available
without further appropriation to carry out the Act.
(Sec. 501) Requires at least one half of the funds obligated or expended each
fiscal year under this Act to be used for preservation projects on historic
properties (giving priority to the preservation of endangered historic
properties).
(Sec. 502) Authorizes a State to provide financial assistance to the
management entity for any national heritage area or national heritage corridor
to support cooperative historic preservation planning and development.
Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration - Makes CRAF funds
transferred to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture available to
be used as a dedicated source of funding for a coordinated program on Federal
and Indian lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are
threatened with degradation, and protect public health and safety. Allocates:
(1) 60 percent to the Secretary of the Interior for lands within the National
Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered by
the Bureau of Land Management; (2) 30 percent to the Secretary of Agriculture
for lands within the National Forest System; and (3) ten percent to the
Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified Indian tribes
(giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources,
the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public
health).
(Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture to: (1) each establish priority lists for the use of funds (giving
priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the
severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health
or safety); and (2) jointly establish a coordinated program for tracking the
progress of activities carried out with amounts made available by this title and
determining the extent to which demonstrable results are being achieved.
Title VII: Farmland Protection Program and Endangered and Threatened
Species Recovery - Subtitle A: Farmland Protection Program - Amends
the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to revise
requirements for the farmland protection program. Repeals the mandate that the
Secretary purchase conservation easements or other interests in lands with
prime, unique, or other productive soil subject to a pending offer from a State
or local government. Authorizes the Secretary, instead, to provide matching
grants, under specified conditions, to State or local governments, Indian
tribes, or certain private organizations to provide the Federal share of up to
50 percent of the total cost of purchasing permanent conservation easements in
such lands or conservation easements or other interests in such lands when they
are subject to a pending offer from a State or local government.
(Sec. 702) Provides that CRAF funds transferred to the Secretary under this
Act in a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary, without further
appropriations, to carry out the programs specified in section five of this Act.
Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Makes CRAF
funds transferred from the CRAF for this title in a fiscal year available to the
Secretary of the Interior without further appropriations, in that fiscal year,
to provide financial assistance to persons for development and implementation of
Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into under this
title. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the development and
implementation of Agreements that: (1) implement actions identified under
recovery plans approved by the Secretary; (2) have the greatest potential for
contributing to the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (3)
require use of the assistance on land owned by a small landowner.
(Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance for
any action that is required by a permit or an incidental take statement issued
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or that is otherwise required under
Federal law.
(Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into such Agreements and sets
forth Agreement requirements, including: (1) requiring activities not otherwise
mandated by law that contribute to species recovery; and (2) specifying species
recovery goals. Requires the Secretary to review Agreements in compliance,
periodically monitor the implementation of each Agreement, and disburse
financial assistance to implement the Agreement.