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Document 35 of 92.

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APRIL 27, 1999, TUESDAY

SECTION: IN THE NEWS

LENGTH: 1265 words

HEADLINE: PREPARED STATEMENT OF
GOVERNOR KITZHABER, M.D.
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBJECT - S. 25, THE CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF
1999; S. 446, THE RESOURCES 2000 ACT; S. 532, THE PUBLIC LAND
AND RECREATION INVESTMENT ACT OF 1999;
AND THE ADMINISTRATION'S LANDS LEGACY PROPOSAL

BODY:

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding hearings on the various proposals to share Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues for the purposes of coastal impact assistance, investment in the Lands and Water Conservation Fund and wildlife conservation. I strongly support the concepts these proposals embody of reinvesting revenue from non- renewable resources into protecting and enhancing our nation's natural resources.
I also want to commend you and the other bill sponsors in both the Senate and House on the bipartisanship, cooperation and inclusiveness that have been hallmarks of the process and dialogue which has now been going on for several months regarding the redirection of OCS revenues. Rather than speak to the specifics of each bill or proposal, I would like to share with the Committee my comments and legislative principles, which I believe, are shared by most Oregonians. I would like to have these submitted for the record and I would welcome any opportunity to work with you further as your bill go forward.
Coastal/Marine Conservation and Restoration
There are many environmentally sensitive areas in the coastal and marine environments with critical conservation and restoration needs. Coastal communities are currently ill equipped to deal with the tremendously difficult growth issues and species protection and restoration issues that they face. Coastal impact assistance resources are badly needed to build the capacity and capability in coastal local governments and state agencies to effectively address both overall coastal community growth issues and the more specific species protection/habitat/water quality issues which are so important in the Pacific Northwest. Creating a revenue sharing fund for coastal states and eligible local governments will support collaborative, comprehensive natural resource conservation planning and implementation in one of the nation's most rapidly growing areas -- our coastal regions. These important planning efforts can then provide the foundation and guiding framework for targeting and prioritizing environmental enhancement and conservation work.Maintaining moratoria on oil and as drilling
Oregonians, in my judgement, want assurance the revenue sharing process established will not create any incentive for new OCS oil and gas development, nor have any impact on current OCS leasing moratoria or the President's Executive Order concerning OCS leasing. This can be best achieved with strong statutory language, not merely legislative findings.
In this regard, I strongly support the Western Governors' Association's policy recommendation that "the allocation of revenues should not be constructed so as to provide an incentive for increased leasing, nor should it affect current moratoria on offshore oil and gas leasing."
In addition, I believe an equitable distribution of OCS impact assistance funds should properly account for proximity to production, as well as coastline miles and population. But, I believe these funds should be used for environmental enhancement and mitigation rather than economic development. These funds should not be used to subsidize environmentally harmful infrastructure development.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has a 35-year tradition of providing a cornerstone for conservation and recreation. Today in Oregon, we see tremendous population growth and an increasing need for public outdoor recreation areas. Oregonians strongly favor programs which retain maximum decision-making authority and priority setting at the state rather than federal level.
The states conduct State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) to gather public involvement and local priorities. The plans allow for dollars to go to the highest priorities and needs of the people and land.
With dedicated funding at authorized levels, The Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program and the Payment In Lieu of Taxes program are in their simplicity, have solid grass roots support in Oregon, and all work well enough that they may need only minor fine tuning and operational improvement. Please keep these aspects and principles in mind as you continue to work on this legislation.
I believe, with regard to the federal side of the LWCF program, there should be no restrictions as to the geographic location of land acquisitions. Every region of the country has needs and Congress should not reserve any percentage of federal LWCF for a particular region. In addition, I would hope that the legislation would not create a cumbersome process requiring congressional approval for federal land acquisition by setting low dollar thresholds for projects needing separate Congressional authorization.Wildlife Conservation
In order to avoid additional bureaucracy, and because of its proven track record, the PittmanRobertson Program should be used as a model for dispersal of wildlife conservation funds. A separate account, with its own review process, can be established for these funds.
All states will benefit from legislation that will move us past the divisive game vs. nongame debate and permit the individual states to exercise their discretion for wildlife program funding. Oregonians want to keep species off the threatened and endangered list, but insensitive growth and development increasingly threatens both game and nongame wildlife habitat. In Oregon, a group of over 200 businesses, organizations and communities-Teaming With Wildlife-have joined forces to explain that the Title HI orS. 25 and H.R. 701 is not a "hook and bullet" program augmentation, but a serious, new stewardship commitment to habitat and species protection. Birding, hiking, photography and other eeo-tourism grounded activities loom large in Oregon's thinking about sustainable communities. I would urge you to support the use of at least 10 percent of the OCS revenues for wildlife conservation.
With the proviso that there is appropriate collaboration with the states and other stakeholders, we have no objection to the Department of Interior or other federal agencies providing additional program guidance under any section of this new legislation. We believe that the development of state plans is a reasonable requirement for the receipt of funds under this legislation. We support federal monitoring (state reporting) for both program effectiveness and fiscal accountability. Budget
I join with the National and Western Governor's Associations in stating that permanent appropriations must not be offset with reductions in other vital state interests, public service and environmental protection.
I believe it is important to point out and to encourage legislation which recognizes that individual states must deal with different problems and that Governors must be allowed maximum flexibility, within national standards, to target the areas where there is the most critical need. Coastal states face unique challenges like managing development associated with rapid population growth, coastal erosion, storm damage, and polluted runoff and endangered species.
I strongly urge the congressional sponsors and the Clinton Administration to work together with the states to craft a final measure that would provide states with a meaningful share of OCS revenues to address both coastal resources needs and other critical natural resource priorities nationwide. I would be happy to work with the Committee in that regard. Thank you for your efforts in moving toward achievement of these worthy goals.
END

LOAD-DATE: April 29, 1999

Document 35 of 92.


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