The Honorable Trent Lott
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Majority Leader:

Attached is a letter 145 outdoor business leaders sent to you eleven months ago, asking you to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), which fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). On behalf of ORCA's 1100 outdoor business members, I am writing you today to reiterate this high priority for our industry.

CARA has come far in those eleven months, and the support for it is broad and bi-partisan. HR 701 passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 315 -102, and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a vote of 13-7. In addition, polling by the Tarrance Group indicates that 80% of the American people favor Congress "setting up a permanent land and water conservation trust fund, with the money coming in from offshore oil and gas revenues." The President is ready to sign this bill if it reaches his desk. With three short weeks to go in this legislative session, we urge you to find a way to bring this legislation to the President for his signature.

The ORCA membership has identified passage of CARA as its number one priority for 2000. Through dedicated funding for LWCF, the Urban Parks and Recreation Restoration (UPARR) program, a national parks restoration fund and others, CARA will provide increased recreation opportunities at the local, state and federal levels; protect special places; maintain national parks; and invest in our children's health and quality of life. We believe this investment in parks and open space is an investment in our future. It is good for our businesses, good for our customers, and good for America.
We look forward to working with you to pass the single most important conservation legislation in the last 30 years. If we can be of any help, do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely.

Francis K. Hugelmeyer
President

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