Listen to a sound clip of Sen. Landrieu on Conservation and Reinvestment

Washington, D.C. (March 1) – Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) has introduced the House of Representatives version of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), legislation with strong bipartisan support including more than 300 cosponsors in the House.

"The time has come to take a portion of the proceeds from a nonrenewable resource to reinvest in the conservation and enhancement of our renewable resources. To continue to do otherwise, as we have for the last 50 years, is fiscally and environmentally irresponsible," Sen. Landrieu said. "I believe this legislation will allow us to enact what may well be the most significant conservation effort of the century."

The compromise version, S. 2123, is a companion bill to the Senate version of CARA, S. 25. It was introduced by Landrieu along with Sens. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), John Breaux (D-La.) and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). In the House, the compromise bill has more than 300 sponsors and widespread bipartisan support. The original Senate version, S. 25, also has strong support with more than 20 sponsors. Sen. Landrieu is confident that the blending of these two bills will produce a version that can be passed through Congress and receive the President's signature.

"While there are some provisions in S. 25 that I strongly believe need to be incorporated into this compromise version, this balanced and bipartisan proposal will provide a fair share of oil and gas revenues to states for coastal impact assistance, and to all states for environmental and conservation efforts," Sen. Landrieu said.

CARA would create permanent environmental funding by redirecting a portion of offshore oil and gas revenues to states to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund's federal and state side initiatives, coastal conservation and impact assistance, wildlife conservation, historic preservation and parks projects. Currently, the federal government keeps almost 100 percent of these revenues, with little returned to states to protect and conserve our natural treasures.

Sen. Landrieu credited the House members who crafted the compromise version, including Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska), George Miller (D-Calif.), John Dingell (D-Mich.), Chris John (D-La.), Billy Tauzin (R-La.) and Bruce Vento (D-Minn.).

Sen. Landrieu spoke about introducing the compromise version Wednesday at the Rally for Parks and Wildlife on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. She joined more than 500 conservation and recreation leaders from across the country at the rally to draw attention to the need for permanent funding for parks and wildlife, an integral part of CARA. Sponsors of the rally included the U.S. Conference of Mayors, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, National Wildlife Federation, The Wilderness Society, National Audubon Society and more.