Copyright 1999 Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.
THE ARIZONA
REPUBLIC
May 20, 1999 Thursday, Final Chaser
SECTION: OPINIONS; Pg. B6
LENGTH: 445 words
HEADLINE:
ENCOURAGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT LAND CONSERVATION
BYLINE: CARLA
BODY:
Even
with the leadership Gov. Jane Hull has shown in proposing some funding for the
preservation of Spur Cross Ranch (which hopefully, the Legislature will follow),
additional monies are necessary for this scenic ranch and across the state. From
lush Sonoran Desert to towering ponderosa pines to an inner-city park for kids
to safely play in, the need for open space affects all Arizonans. In every
community,the problem is M-O-N-E-Y.
The federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund exists to meet these needs. Created in 1965, the program was
to use revenue from natural resource use - primarily fees paid by companies
drilling offshore for oil and gas - to preserve habitat, assure that all
Americans have access to quality outdoor recreation, and strengthen the health
and vitality of all Americans.
Congress has been diverting these monies
to non-related projects for the past 17 years. As the conservation fund is cut,
the need for open space and recreation has soared. A recent call from the
National Recreation and Parks Association for projects needing funding in
Arizona resulted in 28 requests totaling $760 million.
Congress is
considering legislation to revitalize the conservation fund and ensure that the
full amounts specified (currently $900 million) are actually spent. While it's
too early to endorse a specific conservation fund bill, we can urge our elected
officials to support the basic concepts of:
* Full and permanent funding
for the conservation fund.
* An equitable allocation of funding for the
conservation fund's federal and state components, along with a revived urban
parks component.
* Consistency with the goal of protecting and restoring
the nation's natural systems, native habitats, historic, cultural and public
recreation resources.
These are all critical points. The
administration's Lands Legacy Initiative would remove much of
the local control, while other bills would direct the monies to coastal states
or projects east of the Mississippi. Generating citizen support will be
essential to success. Let your representatives know that you have a project that
could benefit from the conservation fund. Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl
have been supportive of revitalizing the conservation fund as long as the
stateside control remains. McCain has committed to writing an amendment, if
necessary.
When one looks at the enormity of the problems related to
balancing growth and quality of life, it can get discouraging. Today we have an
opportunity to address this at a more personal level and through our actions
provide the funds that could help our communities. Please don't let this
opportunity pass you by.
GRAPHIC: Photo; Carla
COLUMN: MY TURN
LOAD-DATE: May
21, 1999 
