August 9, 2000

The Honorable Trent Lott
Majority Leader, United States Senate
S-230 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Thomas A. Daschle
Minority Leader, United States Senate
S-221 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Leaders:

On July 25th, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources favorably reported H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). We encourage you to schedule this important legislation for consideration by the full Senate in September. The bill had bipartisan support in the Committee, including the Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member and it was overwhelmingly passed by the House of Representatives on May 11th. In addition, CARA is supported by Governors, Mayors and a coalition of 4,500 organizations from throughout the country.

The Conservation and Reinvestment Act is landmark legislation that makes a 15 year commitment to conservation programs benefiting all 50 states. It reinvests revenues earned from the depletion of a nonrenewable asset - oil and gas reserves on the Outer Continental Shelf - for the protection and enhancement of our natural and cultural heritage, threatened coastal areas, and wildlife. It also reinvests in our local communities and our children through enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities. By enacting CARA, we can ensure that this century begins with the most significant commitment of resources to conservation ever.

We appreciate your support of CARA and look forward to working with you to enact this historic legislation before the adjournment of the 106th Congress.

Democrat Support: Max Baucus (D-MT) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Bob Graham (D-FL) Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) Chuck Robb (D-VA) Russ Feingold (D-WI) Max Cleland (D-GA) Zell Miller (D-GA) Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR) Joseph Biden (D-DE) John Breaux (D-LA) Richard Durbin (D-IL) Jack Reed (D-RI) Evan Bayh (D-IN) Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Tim Johnson (D-SD) Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Bob Kerrey (D-NE) Ron Wyden (D-OR) Chris Dodd (D-CT) John Rockefeller (D-WV) Daniel Akaka (D-HI) Ernest Hollings (D-SC) Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) Edward Kennedy (D-MA) Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) John Kerry (D-MA) Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) Herb Kohl (D-WI) Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Paul Wellstone (D-MN) Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) Harry Reid (D-NV) Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Kent Conrad (D-ND) Richard Bryan (D-NV) John R. Edwards (D-NC)

Republican Support: Mike DeWine (R-OH) John Warner (R-VA) Spencer Abraham (R-MI) Frank Murkowski (R-AK) Arlen Specter (R-PA) Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) Bob Smith (R-NH) Jim Jeffords (R-VT) William Roth (R-DE) Bill Frist (R-TN) Judd Gregg (R-NH) Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL) Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Thad Cochran (R-MS) Jim Bunning (R-KY) Strom Thurmond (R-SC) Charles Grassley (R-IA) Pat Roberts (R-KS) Jesse Helms (R-NC) Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) Christopher S. Bond (R-MO) John Ashcroft (R-MO)