May 10, 2000
Statement by Mark Van Putten President and CEO
National Wildlife Federation On H.R. 701, the
Conservation and Reinvestment Act
NEWS
CARA represents the single most significant commitment our nation
has ever made to investments in wildlife and wild places.
Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and George Miller (D-CA), CARA's chief
co-sponsors, have crafted landmark legislation that spells an
unprecedented victory for conservation.
Its benefits will be felt in every state for generations to come.
CARA funding will help maintain healthy populations of wildlife,
expand state and national park systems and initiate the
environmental restoration of some of our most damaged coastlines.
By drawing all its funding from offshore oil and gas leases, CARA
redeems a promise Congress made to the American people 35 years ago
to devote a significant portion of revenue derived from exploiting
one natural resource to natural resource enhancements nationwide.
As it will go to the House floor, CARA has been improved through
the efforts of Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and others. In
particular, the bill has increased protections against incentives
for new offshore drilling. We will continue to seek improvements as
the bill moves forward in the Senate.
As the nation's largest conservation education organization, we
urge the House to vote decisively in favor of CARA and for the
Senate to respond quickly to the bipartisan momentum that's placed
this legislation within sight of enactment.
