Copyright 2000 The Denver Post Corporation
The
Denver Post
June 13, 2000 Tuesday 2D EDITION
SECTION: DENVER & THE WEST; Pg. B-10
LENGTH: 441 words
HEADLINE:
EDITORIAL Time to speak up
BODY:
Landmark
legislation to enhance public lands and wildlife habitat may languish
or die unless it finds a champion in a key U.S. Senate committee. Ben
Nighthorse Campbell, Colorado's senior senator, could become that
champion, creating a remarkable environmental legacy for America and
a profound achievement for his own public service record.
The
measure, the Conservation and Reinvestment
Act, overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House this spring.
But now CARA has been assigned to the Senate Energy
and Natural Resources Committee, where it faces opposition
from politicians who just don't want federal money going toward
land and wildlife preservation. It's possible that this small
faction could keep CARA from ever making it to the Senate
floor. Campbell, a moderate Republican who serves on the
committee, had sponsored a proposal similar to CARA in the past. But
oddly, he has said almost nothing about CARA. Campbell
must break his silence. If he championed CARA, Campbell could move
the proposal out of committee, becoming a hero to the
conservation cause and his party's quest for
environmental victories to show voters come November.
But Campbell
should support CARA primarily because it is sound national policy.
Not only would it greatly benefit Colorado, it also would assist
American Indian tribes, whose causes Campbell - the only Native
American in Congress - often has espoused.
If CARA passes, Colorado
could get $ 44 million annually for wildlife protection, land
conservation and similar efforts. Thus CARA has been
endorsed by many conservative Colorado Republicans, including Gov.
Bill Owens and U.S. Reps. Tom Tancredo and Joel Hefley.
CARA
also earmarks $ 200 million for restoration of federal and Indian
lands. The proposal would create a competitive grant program for
Indian tribes for natural resources and public health and safety
protection.
Currently, CARA doesn't allocate money for
tribal wildlife-management programs, as it does for similar
state efforts. But the bill could be amended to include tribal
wildlife projects. Key environmental groups say they would accept,
even support, such a provision.
But a co-sponsor of the
measure would be best positioned to offer the amendment. Campbell
should co-sponsor CARA. He then would be positioned not only to extol
its benefits for Colorado but also to help American Indian tribes
care for their land and wildlife. But most of all, Campbell must
strongly champion the measure when it comes before the committee on
which he serves.
LOAD-DATE: June 13, 2000
