19990210 Committee on Resources: News Release - 'Conservation & Reinvestment Act of 1999' Introduced

Press Release, Committee on Resources, U.S. Congress

Contact: Steve Hansen (mailto:Steve.Hansen@mail.house.gov (202) 225-7749
To: National Desk/Environmental Reporter
February 10, 1999

"Conservation & Reinvestment Act of 1999" Introduced

In U.S. House;

Landmark Legislation Receives Bipartisan Support

For Conservation Funding & Equity In Revenue Sharing

Washington, D.C. - Bipartisan legislation was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives which provides increased funding for national conservation and recreation programs and resolves several inequities regarding the disposition of funds derived from revenues from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities.

The "Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999" (H.R. 701) was introduced today by:

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman of the House Resources Committee

Rep. John Dingell (D-Michigan)

Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA)

Rep. Chris John (D-LA)

Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA)

Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

The sponsors unveiled the legislation at a press conference this afternoon and were joined by several state and national conservation officials who spoke in support for the conservation funding concepts of the legislation (see pages 3 & 4). (A legislative Summary is on pages 5 & 6)

The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 is bipartisan legislation which will share Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues with impacted states and support national conservation and wildlife education programs. Without creating any new taxes, the legislation will provide substantial increases in wildlife and land conservation funding by reinvesting OCS revenues for environmental programs in all 50 states and funding to states which are impacted by OCS development.

H.R. 701 Creates Conservation Funding & Revenue Fairness - Rep. Young

"There are two extremely important reasons why this legislation is needed," said U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). "First, it is a responsible reinvestment of funding into valuable conservation and recreation programs. Second, this bill resolves the inequity of revenue sharing for offshore oil and gas activity to the states that host the development.

"I anticipate that in most years, over $1 billion will be available for the valuable conservation and recreation programs included in this bill. I believe it's vital that Congress invest this revenue into lasting conservation efforts and fairly distribute funding to our coastal communities," Young said.

Coastal Communities Will Benefit - Rep. Dingell

"It makes perfect sense to dedicate money from oil and gas drilling off our coastline to natural resource renewal, and to ensure that growing coastal communities - including the Great Lakes - have the tools to better sustain livability and sustainable growth," said U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Michigan).

"Our new bill provides these things without putting our coasts at added risk from oil and gas development along the Outer Continental Shelf, and while agreeing with President Clinton that it's time to fully fund land and water conservation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)."

Louisiana Needs Funding To Coastline - Rep. Tauzin

"Since 1950, my home state of Louisiana has lost more than 1,000 square miles of invaluable coastline to erosion," said U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA). "That's an area equal to the size of Rhode Island. Gone . . . vanished . . . completely disappeared. This is more than just a national tragedy; it's a global tragedy, as well."

Bold Plan Ensures Stability Of Natural Resources - Rep. John

"Congress and the Executive Branch have long recognized the need to conserve our country's vast natural resources," said U.S. Rep. Chris John (D-LA). "Today, this 106^th Congress recognizes and reaffirms that need by setting forth a bold plan to ensure the stability of our natural resources into the 21^st century.

"The re-introduction of the 'Conservation and Reinvestment Act' will guarantee that states are returned their fair share of revenues from offshore oil and gas production to ensure that our coastlines are protected, our lands and waters conserved, and our wildlife remains abundant for future generations.

"We have worked hard to get to this point, and with a bipartisan commitment to work through this legislative process, I am confident that we can successfully enact this landmark conservation initiative."

Legislation Will Be A Hallmark Achievement - Rep. Baker

"Roughly half of the U.S. Population lives along the country's coast, and today the needs of communities located in these areas is greater than ever before," said U.S. Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA). "We have an obligation to care and protect the fragile systems along the coast, whether its restoring our coastlines, protecting wildlife and natural habitat, or conserving our land and water. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) is a comprehensive solution to restoring, protecting and conserving our national treasures. This balanced approach and bipartisan effort will be a hallmark achievement for our communities and the environment."

Representatives of state and national wildlife organizations who also participated in the press conference include:

David Waller, Director for the Division of Wildlife for the State of Georgia, and Vice President of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Theodore Roosevelt IV, a national environmental advocate

Jane Danowitz, Executive Director for Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation

Bernadette Castro, Commissioner for the New York State Parks & Historic Preservation

Fran Mainello, Board member of the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers

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Press Release From The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Naomi Edelson
February 10, 1999 International Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Phone: (202) 624-7890
Email: teaming@sso.org

BIPARTISAN HOUSE BILL HAILED FOR INCLUDING STATE WILDLIFE FUNDING

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) praised a bipartisan-sponsored bill introduced today in the House of Representatives that contains major funding for state wildlife conservation and related recreation and education. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999, H.R. 700, dedicates a percentage of federal offshore oil and gas revenues to states for wildlife programs under its Title III section. A Senate companion bill (S. 25) was introduced in January. Both bills had been introduced previously in October, 1998.

"We applaud Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the Committee on Resources, John Dingell (D-MI), Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Chris John (D-LA), for their leadership." said Max Peterson, executive vice president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Rep. Young has named the Conservation and Reinvestment Act as his committee's top priority this session.

Wildlife and land conservation efforts in all 50 states will benefit from the legislation. About half of the estimated $4-5 billion from Outer Continental Shelf revenues will be allocated under the three titles of the Act: Title 1 for coastal impact assistance, Title II for land-based recreation and Title III for wildlife conservation. The House bill dedicates 10% (about $459 million) for annual wildlife conservation, recreation and education allocations to states.

David Waller, vice president of the IAFWA and director of Georgia Division of Wildlife Resources, speaking at a press conference today, pointed out the critical need to fully fund state wildlife programs in time to prevent species from becoming endangered. Currently, more than 2,000 wildlife species lack a secure funding source.

"With dedicated, reliable and adequate funding, states can repeat the success stories of game species for other fish and wildlife, " Waller said. "Our Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Funds dating to the 1930s and '50s have given us the ability to bring back the wood duck, the striped bass and the pronghorn antelope. We're ready now to do what it takes to restore our vanishing songbirds and other declining wildlife species."

Songbirds are among the species that will gain from the new funding source. Long-term bird surveys are making it clear that in every part of the continent and in most every habitat there are wild bird species suffering significant losses. In the last 30 years, cerulean warblers have declined by 75%, painted buntings by 60%, black terns by 60% and American bitterns by 50%. Even a popular visitor to birdfeeders, the American goldfinch, has declined by 20%.

Naomi Edelson, Teaming With Wildlife director for IAFWA, said "Not only will this conservation trust fund assure a future for America's wildlife, it will help millions of people appreciate nature from backyards to the backwoods."

Birdwatching participation escalated from 21 million in 1983 to 54 million in 1995. Wildlife viewing is the number one outdoor activity in the United States and has become a billion-dollar industry. Nature tourism is increasing at a higher rate than any other segment of tourism worldwide.

"States desperately need funding to sustain the skyrocketing growth in wildlife-related recreation and tourism, and to meet demands for conservation education" Edelson said.

More than 3,000 organizations and businesses can claim responsibility for bringing the goals of a national initiative called "Teaming With Wildlife" to the attention of Congress. The initiative proposed a modest surcharge on some outdoor equipment for states to restore wildlife and to meet wildlife recreation and education demands. Title III generally addresses the same needs as Teaming With Wildlife using a different funding source.

For a complete press kit, visit the Teaming With Wildlife web site at http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.teaming.com&ln_desc=Website+of+International+Association+of+Fish+and+Wildlife+Agencies& or contact the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at Tel: (202) 624-7890, email teaming@sso.org.

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U.S. House Committee on Resources
Background on "The Conservation and Reinvestment Act

This bill resolves the inequity of oil and gas revenue distribution while providing for important conservation and recreation programs. It represents a responsible reinvestment of revenue from non-renewable resources into renewable resources of conservation and recreation for all 50 states and territories.
The Senate companion bill titled "The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999" (S.25) is similar, but not identical.

In January 1999, the Clinton Administration unveiled a similar proposal titled "The Lands Legacy Initiative". However, there are substantial differences. Some include:

CARA's emphasis on local government authority and involvement. This is a key element of the House legislation but diminished in the President's initiative.
Protection of individual property rights are included in the House legislation but excluded from the President's initiative.
New restrictions on access to public lands by creating new wilderness areas which is a focal point of the President's initiative but not included in the House legislation.

Title I -- OCS Impact Assistance

Creates a revenue sharing fund for coastal states and eligible local governments to mitigate the various unintended impacts of OCS activities and to support sustainable development of nonrenewable resources.
This is accomplished without creating an incentive for new oil and gas development and will have no impact on current OCS leasing moratoria or the President's Executive Order concerning outer continental shelf leasing.
27% of OCS revenues distributed amongst 35 coastal states and territories.
Distribution formula based on production, coastline miles, and population. A provision was added in the 106^th Congress to ensure that areas held in moratoria are precluded from both revenue inflows and for the computation in determining a state and eligible political subdivision's allocation.
50% of the funds are shared with local governments (counties, boroughs, parishes) in states where Federal OCS production exists. In all other cases, 100% of the state's allocation would be directly allocated to the state government.

Title II -- Land-based Conservation

By reallocating 23% of OCS revenue, CARA guarantees stable and annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at its authorized $900 million level. This dedicated funding would provide for both the state and federal programs included in the LWCF.
This title of the bill also includes funding for important recreation projects through the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR). More than $100 million would be dedicated to this important program annually.
In Titles One and Two contain provisions to fund Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). While the funds from these two titles are held in the Treasury for a year before disbursement they will accrue interest which will be provided directly to PILT. The level of funding to be held is 50% of all OCS revenue (in recent years above $2 billion).
CARA includes amendments to the LWCF Act to make the long awaited improvements regarding the operation of the state-side matching grant program.
While funding is provided for Federal land acquisition within the federal-side of the LWCF, there are some protections to note:
- The funding cap for Federal LWCF expenditures, included in CARA, is near the $300 million historical average for Federal LWCF appropriation;
- Acquisition can only take place with willing sellers and is only allowed within Congressionally approved boundaries;
- None of the funding provided for federal purposes may be used for the condemnation of any interest of property.
- An Act of Congress must be passed to approve projects (acquisition, improvements, buildings, etc.) over $1 million; and
- 2/3 of the funding available must be spent east of the 100^th meridian.

Title III -- Wildlife-based Conservation

This title of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1998 will reallocate 10% of the revenue gained from oil and gas development in the Federal waters of the outer continental shelf (OCS) to provide dedicated funding for wildlife conservation and education programs.
This funding will not only accomplish the goals of "Teaming With Wildlife", but surpass the level of funding anticipated with that proposal.
CARA will not establish an excise tax.
Title III funds will be distributed through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Fund also known as Pittman-Robertson (P-R). Since fiscal year 1939, Pittman-Robertson has collected and disbursed more than $3 billion for wildlife conservation and recreation projects across America. Made possible entirely through the efforts and taxes paid by sportsmen, the funds are derived from an eleven-percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, ten-percent on pistols and revolvers, and an eleven-percent tax on archery equipment sold specifically for bow hunting.

For more information, please check the House Committee on Resources Home Page at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/

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