Essex, Somerset, and Passaic Counties.
Frelinghuysen Hails Passage of
Landmark Environmental LegislationFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mark Broadhurst at (973) 984-0711
May 11, 2000
CAPITOL HILL – Today, Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11th) announced House passage of H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), landmark legislation that would increase funding for Federal and state conservation, wildlife and recreation programs.
Frelinghuysen, a co-sponsor of the measure, said among the bill’s provisions is one which would make the Land and Water Conservation Fund a lasting part of the Federal budget, thus ensuring $900 million would be available annually to protect open space and preserve natural resources in every state in the country.
"I believe in strengthening the Federal government’s role in preserving and protecting open space because every acre of undeveloped land in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation, is precious," Frelinghuysen said, "CARA ensures that more money will be available every year to purchase open space in New Jersey, protect our coastal ecosystems, and preserve our national wildlife refuges and historic places. This is truly historic legislation, the most monumental environmental work the House has produced since I’ve been a member of Congress. I am pleased that my colleagues from the West have come together with those of us from the East to work together for the protection of land and water in every state across the country."
According to the Congressman, New Jersey would receive nearly $60 million annually for land and water conservation, with almost $18 million set aside from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition and open space preservation.
Of the $900 million annually dedicated to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, half would be available to purchase and expand Federal lands while the other half, or $450 million, would be available to the states to purchase land local communities decide should be priority.
CARA is supported by all 50 Governors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties. With more than 300 members of Congress co-sponsoring the bill, it passed overwhelmingly.
'The Conservation & Reinvestment Act'
CARA would provide annual dedicated funding for the following:
| Program |
Annual Funding Level |
|
Impact Assistance & Coastal Conservation |
$1 billion |
|
Title I creates a revenue sharing and coastal conservation fund for coastal states and eligible local governments to mitigate the various impacts of OCS activities and provide funds for the conservation of our coastal ecosystems. These funds will support sustainable development of nonrenewable resources without providing incentives for new oil and gas development. | |
|
Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Revitalization |
$900 million |
|
Title II 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, while protecting the rights of private property owners. | |
|
Wildlife Conservation & Restoration Fund |
$350 million |
|
Title III, through the successful program of Pittman-Robertson, reinvests the development of nonrenewable resources into a renewable resource of wildlife conservation and education. This new source of funding will nearly double the Federal funds available for wildlife conservation. | |
|
Urban Park & Recreation Recovery (UPARR) |
$125 million |
|
Title IV provides matching grants to local governments to rehabilitate recreation areas and facilities, provides for the development of improved recreation programs, sites and facilities. | |
|
Historic Preservation Fund |
$100 million |
|
Title V provides funding for the programs of the Historic Preservation Act, including grants to the States, maintaining the National Register of Historic Places, and administering numerous historic preservation programs. | |
|
Federal & Indian Lands Restoration |
$200 million |
|
Title VI provides 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. | |
|
Conservation Easements & Species Recovery |
$150 million |
|
Title VII provides annual and dedicated funding for conservation easements and funding for landowner incentives to aid in the recovery of endangered and threatened species. | |
|
Payment In-Lieu of Taxes & Refuge Revenue Sharing |
$200 million |
|
Up to $200 million of the annual interest generated from the CARA Fund will match, dollar for dollar, the amount appropriated during the Congressional Appropriations process. | |