[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S413-S422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Breaux, Mr. 
        Sessions, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lott, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Gregg, Ms. 
        Mikulski, and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 25. A bill to provide Coastal Impact Assistance to State and local 
governments, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments 
of 1978, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the Urban 
Park and Recreation Recovery Act, and the Federal Aid in Wildlife 
Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act) to 
establish a fund to meet the outdoor conservation and recreation needs 
of the American people, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.


               conservation and reinvestment act of 1999

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today with great enthusiasm and 
pride to introduce a very important piece of legislation. I worked with 
my colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as 
well as with other members for over a year before introducing this 
legislation during the 105th Congress. Now, on this first date of 
introductions in the 106th Congress, I am reintroducing that 
legislation with a broad array of cosponsors. We have worked hard to 
arrive at this long awaited and anticipated point to introduce a 
bipartisan piece of legislation that may well be the most significant 
environmental effort of the century. I am pleased to be joined by my 
colleagues, Senators Murkowski, Lott, Breaux, Sessions, Cleland, 
Johnson, Gregg, Cochran and Mikulski.
  The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 will go farther than 
any legislation to date to make good on promises that were made to the 
people of this country decades ago. In addition, it will begin to right 
a wrong endured by oil and gas producing states for over 50 years, 
particularly for the states along the Gulf of Mexico, and my state of 
Louisiana.
  The Conservation and Reinvestment Act first provides a guaranteed 
source of funding equal to twenty-seven percent of all Outer 
Continental Shelf revenues for Coastal Impact Assistance to states to 
offset the impacts of offshore oil and gas activity, as well as to non-
producing states for environmental purposes. This funding goes directly 
to States and local governments for improvements in air and water 
quality, fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, or other coastal 
resources, including shoreline protection and coastal restoration. 
These revenues to coastal states will help offset a range of costs 
unique to maintaining a coastal zone for specific enumerated uses. The 
formula is based on population, coastline and proximity to production.

[[Page S414]]

  Second, the bill provides a permanent stream of revenue for the State 
and Federal sides of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as 
for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program. Under the bill, 
funding to the LWCF becomes automatic at sixteen percent of annual 
revenues. Receiving just under half this amount, the state side of LWCF 
will provide funds to state and local governments for land acquisition, 
urban conservation and recreation projects, all under the discretion of 
state and local authorities. Since its enactment in 1965, the LWCF 
state grant program has funded more than 37,000 park and recreation 
projects throughout the nation, including in Louisiana the Joe Brown 
Park Development in New Orleans, the Baton Rouge Animal Exhibit, the 
Veterans Memorial Park in Point Barre and the Northwestern State 
University Recreation Complex in Natchitoches. The Urban Parks program 
would enable cities and towns to focus on the needs of its populations 
within our more densely inhabited areas with fewer greenspaces, 
playgrounds and soccer fields for our youth. Stable funding, not 
subject to appropriations, will provide greater revenue certainty to 
state and local planning authorities.
  A stable baseline will be established for Federal land acquisition 
through the LWCF at a level higher than the historical average over the 
past decade. Federal LWCF will receive just under half of the amount in 
this title of the bill. And, nothing in this bill will preclude 
additional Federal LWCF funds to be sought through the annual 
appropriations process. Some very worthy national projects that have 
received funding in the past include the Atchafalaya National Wildlife 
Refuge in Louisiana, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Wildlife Refuge, 
the Cape Cod National Seashore, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota 
and the Sterling Forest in New Jersey. Federal LWCF dollars will be 
used for land acquisition in areas which have been and will be 
authorized by Congress. Property will be acquired on a willing seller 
basis. The bill will restore Congressional intent with respect to the 
LWCF, the goal of which is to share a significant portion of revenues 
from offshore development with the states to provide for protection and 
public use of the natural environment.
  Finally, the wildlife conservation and restoration provision include 
guaranteed funding of seven percent of annual OCS revenues for wildlife 
habitat protection, conservation education and de-listing of endangered 
species. Moreover, this funding may be used by states for habitat 
preservation and land acquisition of wintering habitat for important 
species, therefore preventing listings under the Endangered Species 
Act.
  There is an incredible groundswell of support for this legislation 
that is growing. Just a few days ago, in recognition of the efforts 
undertaken here in Congress in both the House and the Senate, our 
Nation's President unveiled the Lands Legacy Initiative, which mirrors 
a number of provisions in the bills introduced here in Congress. I want 
to acknowledge this praiseworthy effort by the President. Such a 
development goes even further to emphasize the importance of this 
bipartisan, bicameral inititative--it is the will of the people. During 
last November's elections, many states enacted bond initiatives 
totaling almost $700 million that overwhelmingly demonstrate the value 
that the public places on green space and recreational opportunities. 
It is our duty to support those efforts for the benefit of future 
generations by reinvesting in our renewable resources. It is the right 
thing to do.
  While I am proud of the accomplishments represented by the 
introduction of this bill, I feel compelled to mention other interests 
that are not included in the legislation, but for which I maintain a 
strong level of support and commitment. The National Historic 
Preservation fund is an important authorized use for Outer Continental 
Shelf revenues. In fact, I introduced legislation last Congress to 
reauthorize the fund for its continued viability and vitality. In 
addition, I would like to work with proponents of historic preservation 
over the course of the 106th Congress to see their needs addressed in 
the future. This would include similar consideration for Historic 
Battlefield Preservation.
  I see the Conservation and Reinvestment Act as a starting point for 
debate and consideration of additional issues. My cosponsors and I have 
made some changes to the legislation to reflect the concerns and 
desires of interested groups. As we move forward on this measure, in 
the hearing and committee consideration process, I also wish to work 
with other Members and groups. Indeed, this is a measure that should 
enjoy broad support, and I want to continue to work toward that end.
  All three portions of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 
will effectively free up State resources which in turn may then be used 
for other pressing local needs. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act 
is a perfect opportunity to reinvest in our nation's renewable 
resources for our children's future and our grandchildren's future. It 
is an idea whose time has come. I urge my colleagues to carefully 
consider this proposal.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill 
appear in the Record.
  There being no objection, the materials were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 25

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Conservation and 
     Reinvestment Act of 1999''.

                   TITLE I--COASTAL IMPACT ASSISTANCE

     SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Coastal Conservation and 
     Impact Assistance Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 102. AMENDMENT TO OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT.

       The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978 
     (92 Stat. 629), as amended, is amended to add at the end 
     thereof a new Title VII as follows:

     ``SEC. 701. FINDINGS.

       ``The Congress finds and declares that--
       ``(1) The Nation owns valuable mineral resources that are 
     located both onshore and in the Federal Outer Continental 
     Shelf, and the Federal Government develops these resources 
     for the benefit of the Nation, under certain restrictions 
     designed to prevent environmental damage and other adverse 
     impacts.
       ``(2) Nonetheless, the development of these mineral 
     resources for the Nation is accompanied by unavoidable 
     environmental impacts and public service impacts in the 
     States that host this development, whether the development 
     occurs onshore or on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf.
       ``(3) The Federal Government has a responsibility to the 
     States affected by development of Federal mineral resources 
     to mitigate adverse environmental and public service impacts 
     incurred due to that development.
       ``(4) The Federal Government discharges its responsibility 
     to States where onshore Federal mineral development occurs by 
     sharing 50 percent of the revenue derived from the Federal 
     mineral development in that State pursuant to section 35 of 
     the Mineral Leasing Act.
       ``(5) Federal mineral development is occurring as far as 
     200 miles offshore and occurs off the coasts of only 6 
     States, yet section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act does not adequately compensate these States for onshore 
     impacts of the offshore Federal mineral development.
       ``(6) Federal Outer Continental Shelf mineral development 
     is an important and secure source of our Nation's supply of 
     oil and natural gas.
       ``(7) Further technological advancements in oil and natural 
     gas exploration and production need to be pursued and 
     encouraged.
       ``(8) These technological achievements have and will 
     continue to result in new Outer Continental Shelf production 
     having an unparalleled record of excellence on environmental 
     safety issues.
       ``(9) Additional technological advances with appropriate 
     incentives will further improve new resource recovery and 
     therefore increase revenues to the Treasury for the benefit 
     of all Americans who enjoy programs funded by Outer 
     Continental Shelf moneys.
       ``(10) The Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Committee of 
     the Department of the Interior, consisting of representatives 
     of coastal States, recommended in October 1997 that Federal 
     mineral revenue derived from the entire Outer Continental 
     Shelf be shared with all coastal States and territories to 
     mitigate onshore impacts from Federal offshore mineral 
     development and for other environmental mitigation; and
       ``(11) The Nation's Federal mineral resources are a 
     nonrenewable, capital asset of the Nation, with the 
     production and sale of this resource producing revenue for 
     the Nation, a portion of the revenue derived from the 
     production and sale of Federal mineral resources should be 
     reinvested in the Nation through environmental mitigation and 
     public service improvements;
       ``(12) Nothing in this Title shall be interpreted to repeal 
     or modify any existing moratorium on leasing Federal OCS 
     leases for

[[Page S415]]

     drilling nor shall anything in this Title be interpreted as 
     an incentive to encourage the development of Federal OCS 
     resources where such resources currently are not being 
     developed.

     ``SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.

       ``For purposes of this Act:
       ``(1) The term `allocable share' means, for a coastal 
     State, that portion of revenue that is available to be 
     distributed to that coastal State under this title. For an 
     eligible political subdivision of a coastal State, such term 
     means that portion of revenue that is available to be 
     distributed to that political subdivision under this title.
       ``(2) The term `coastal population' means the population of 
     political subdivisions, as determined by the most recent 
     official data of the Census Bureau, contained in whole or in 
     part within the designated coastal boundary of a State as 
     defined in a State's coastal zone management program under 
     the Coast Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1455).
       ``(3) The term `coastline' has the same meaning that it has 
     in the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1301 et seq.).
       ``(4) The term `eligible political subdivision' means a 
     coastal political subdivision of a coastal State which 
     political subdivision has a seaward boundary that lies within 
     a distance of 200 miles from the geographic center of any 
     leased tract. The Secretary shall annually provide a list of 
     all eligible political subdivisions of each coastal State to 
     the Governor of such State.
       ``(5) The term `political subdivision' means the local 
     political jurisdiction immediately below the level of State 
     government, including counties, parishes, and boroughs. If 
     State law recognizes an entity of general government that 
     functions in lieu of, and is not within, a county, parish, or 
     borough, the Secretary may recognize an area under the 
     jurisdiction of such other entities of general government as 
     a political subdivision for purposes of this Act.
       ``(6) The term `coastal State' means any State of the 
     United States bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific 
     Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, 
     or any of the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, 
     the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands.
       ``(7) The term `distance' means minimum great circle 
     distance, measured in statute miles.
       ``(8) The term `fiscal year' means the Federal Government's 
     accounting period which begins on October 1st and ends on 
     September 30th, and is designated by the calendar year in 
     which it ends.
       ``(9) The term `Governor' means the highest elected 
     official of a coastal State.
       ``(10) The term `leased tract' means a tract, leased under 
     section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
     Sec. 1337) for the purpose of drilling for, developing and 
     producing oil and natural gas resources, which is a unit 
     consisting of either a block, a portion of a block, a 
     combination of blocks and/or portions of blocks, as specified 
     in the lease, and as depicted on an Outer Continental Shelf 
     Official Protraction Diagram.
       ``(11) The term `revenues' means all moneys received by the 
     United States as bonus bids, rents, royalties (including 
     payments for royalty taken in kind and sold), net profit 
     share payments, and related late-payment interest from 
     natural gas and oil leases issued pursuant to the Outer 
     Continental Shelf Lands Act.
       ``(12) The term `Outer Continental Shelf' means all 
     submerged lands lying seaward and outside of the area of 
     `lands beneath navigable waters' as defined in section 2(a) 
     of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1301(a)), and of 
     which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States 
     and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.
       ``(13) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior or the Secretary's designee.

     ``SEC. 703. IMPACT ASSISTANCE FORMULA AND PAYMENTS.

       ``(a) Establishment of Fund.--(1) There is established in 
     the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known 
     as the `Outer Continent Shelf Impact Assistance Fund' 
     (referred to in this Act as `the Fund'). The Secretary shall 
     deposit in the Fund 27 percent of the revenues from each 
     leased tract or portion of a leased tract lying seaward of 
     the zone defined and governed by section 8(g) of the Outer 
     Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1337(g)), or 
     lying within such zone but to which section 8(g) does not 
     apply, the geographic center of which lies within a distance 
     of 200 miles from any part of the coastline or any coastal 
     State.
       ``(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in 
     the Fund that are excess to expenditures at the written 
     request of the Secretary, in public debt securities with 
     maturities suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined 
     by the Secretary, and bearing interest at rates determined by 
     the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration 
     current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations 
     of the United States of comparable maturity.
       ``(b) Payment of States.--Notwithstanding section 9 of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1338), the 
     Secretary shall, without further appropriation, make payments 
     in each fiscal year to coastal States and to eligible 
     political subdivisions equal to the amount deposited in 
     the Fund for the prior fiscal year, together with the 
     portion of interest earned from investment of the funds 
     which corresponds to that amount (reduced by any refunds 
     paid under section 705(c)). Such payments shall be 
     allocated among the coastal States and eligible political 
     subdivisions as provided in this section.
       ``(c) Determination of States' Allocable Shares.--
       ``(1) Allocable share for each state.--For each coastal 
     State, the Secretary shall determine the State's allocable 
     share of the total amount of the revenues deposited in the 
     Fund for each fiscal year using the following weighted 
     formula:
       ``(A) 25 percent to the States's allocable share shall be 
     based on the ratio of such State's shoreline miles to the 
     shoreline miles of all coastal States.
       ``(B) 25 percent to the States's allocable share shall be 
     based on the ratio of such State's coastal population to the 
     coastal population of all coastal States.
       ``(C) 50 percent of the State's allocable share shall be 
     computed based upon Outer Continental Shelf production. If 
     any portion of a coastal State lies within a distance of 200 
     miles from the geographic center of any leased tract, such 
     State shall receive 50 percent of its allocable share based 
     on the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production 
     offshore of such State. Such part of its allocable share 
     shall be inversely proportional to the distance between the 
     nearest point on the coastline of such State and the 
     geographic center of each leased tract or portion of the 
     leased tract (to the nearest whole mile), as determined by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(2) Minimum state share.--
       ``(A) In general.--The allocable share of revenues 
     determined by the Secretary under this subsection for each 
     coastal State with an approved coastal management program (as 
     defined by the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
     Sec. 1451) or which is making satisfactory progress toward 
     one shall not be less than 0.50 percent of the total amount 
     of the revenues deposited in the Fund for each fiscal year. 
     For any other coastal State the allocable share of such 
     revenues shall not be less than 0.25 percent of such 
     revenues.
       ``(B) Recomputation.--Where one or more coastal States' 
     allocable shares, as computed under paragraph (1), are 
     increased by any amount under this paragraph, the allocable 
     share for all other coastal States shall be recomputed and 
     reduced by the same amount so that not more than 100 percent 
     of the amount deposited in the fund is allocated to all 
     coastal States. The reduction shall be divided pro rata among 
     such other coastal States.
       ``(3) Adjustment for producing states.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Nonproducing state.--The term `nonproducing State' 
     means a State other than a producing State.
       ``(ii) Producing state.--The term `producing State' means a 
     State off the coast of which any leased tract or tract in 
     State water produced oil, condensate, or natural gas during 
     fiscal year 1998 that, during that fiscal year, was 
     transported by pipeline to a processing facility in the 
     State.
       ``(iii) Tract in state water.--The term `tract in State 
     water' means a tract on land beneath navigable water 
     described in section 2(a)(2) of the Submerged Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1301(a)(2)).
       ``(B) Adjustment.--For any fiscal year, if the application 
     of paragraphs (1) and (2) would result in an allocable share 
     for any nonproducing State that is greater than the allocable 
     share for any producing State--
       ``(i) the amount of the allocable share for each such 
     producing State shall be increased to the amount of the 
     highest allocable share for any such nonproducing State; and
       ``(ii) the amount of the allocable shares for States and 
     other than States receiving increases under paragraph (2) 
     shall be reduced in the amount of the increase under clause 
     (i) in the proportion that the allocable share for each such 
     other State after application of paragraphs (1) and (2) bears 
     to the total amount allocated to all States under paragraphs 
     (1) and (2).
       ``(d) Payments to States and Political Subdivisions.--Each 
     coastal State's allocable share shall be divided between the 
     State and political subdivisions in that State as follows:
       ``(1) 40 percent of each State's allocable share, as 
     determined under subsection (c), shall be paid to the State;
       ``(2) 40 percent of each State's allocable share, as 
     determined under subsection (c), shall be paid to the 
     eligible political subdivisions in such State, with the funds 
     to be allocated among the eligible political subdivisions 
     using the following weighted formula:
       ``(A) 50 percent of an eligible political subdivision's 
     allocable share shall be based on the ratio of that eligible 
     political subdivision's acreage within the State's coastal 
     zone, as defined in an approved State coastal management 
     program (as defined by the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 
     U.S.C. Sec. 1451)), to the entire acreage within the coastal 
     zone in such State; Provided, however, That if the State in 
     which the eligible political subdivision is located does not 
     have an approved coastal management program, then the 
     allocable share shall be based on the ratio of that eligible 
     political subdivision's shoreline miles to the total 
     shoreline miles in that coastal State.
       ``(B) 25 percent of an eligible political subdivision's 
     allocable share shall be based on the ratio of such eligible 
     political subdivision's coastal population to the coastal 
     population of all eligible political subdivisions in that 
     State.
       ``(C) 25 percent of an eligible political subdivision's 
     allocable share shall be based on

[[Page S416]]

     ratios that are inversely proportional to the distance 
     between the nearest point on the seaward boundary of each 
     such eligible political subdivision and the geographic center 
     of each leased tract or portion of the leased tract (to the 
     nearest whole mile), as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(3) 20 percent of each State's allocable share, as 
     determined under subsection (c), shall be allocated to 
     political subdivisions in the coastal State that do not 
     qualify as eligible political subdivisions but which are 
     determined by the Governor or the Secretary to have impacts 
     from Outer Continental Shelf related activities and which 
     have an approved plan under this subsection.
       ``(4) Project submission.--Prior to the receipt of funds 
     pursuant to this subsection for any fiscal year, a political 
     subdivision must submit to the Governor of the State in which 
     it is located a plan setting forth the projects and 
     activities for which the political subdivision proposes to 
     expend such funds. Such plan shall state the amounts proposed 
     to be expended for each project or activity during the 
     upcoming fiscal year.
       ``(5) Project approval.--(A) Prior to the payment of funds 
     pursuant to this subsection to any political subdivision for 
     any fiscal year, the Governor must approve the plan submitted 
     by the political subdivision pursuant to this subsection and 
     notify the Secretary of such approval. State approval of any 
     such plan shall be consistent with all applicable State and 
     Federal law. In the event the Governor disapproves any such 
     plan, the funds that would otherwise be paid to the political 
     subdivision shall be placed in escrow by the Secretary 
     pending modification and approval of such plan, at which time 
     such funds together with interest thereon shall be paid to 
     the political subdivision.
       ``(B) A political subdivision that fails to receive 
     approval from the Governor for a plan may appeal to the 
     Secretary and the Secretary may approve or disapprove such 
     plan based on the criteria set forth in section 704; 
     Provided, however, That the Secretary shall have no authority 
     to consider an appeal of a political subdivision if the 
     Governor of the State has certified in writing to the 
     Secretary that the State has adopted a State program that by 
     its express terms addresses the allocation of revenues to 
     political subdivisions.
       ``(e) Time of Payment.--(1) Payments to coastal States and 
     political subdivisions under this section shall be made not 
     later than December 31 of each year from revenues received 
     and interest earned thereon during the immediately preceding 
     fiscal year. Payment shall not commence before the date 12 
     months following the date of enactment of this Act.
       ``(2) Any amount in the Fund not paid to coastal States and 
     political subdivisions under this section in any fiscal year 
     shall be disposed of according to the law otherwise 
     applicable to revenues from leases on the Outer Continental 
     Shelf.

     ``SEC. 704. USES OF FUNDS.

       ``(a) Authorized Uses of Funds.--Funds received pursuant to 
     this Act may be used by the coastal States and political 
     subdivisions for
       ``(1) air quality, water quality, fish and wildlife, 
     wetlands, outdoor recreation programs, or other coastal 
     resources, including shoreline protection and coastal 
     restoration;
       ``(2) other activities of such State or political 
     subdivision, contemplated by the Coastal Zone Management Act 
     of 1972 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1451 et seq.), the provisions of 
     subtitle B of title IV of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (104 
     Stat. 523), or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
     U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.);
       ``(3) planning assistance and administrative costs of 
     complying with the provisions of this subtitle;
       ``(4) uses related to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act;
       ``(5) mitigating impacts of Outer Continental Shelf 
     activities, including onshore infrastructure and public 
     service needs; and
       ``(6) deposit in a state or political subdivision 
     administered trust fund dedicated to uses consistent with 
     this section.
       ``(b) Compliance With Applicable Laws.--All projects and 
     activities paid for by the moneys received from the Fund 
     shall comply with the state Coastal Zone Management Plan and 
     all applicable Federal, state and local environmental laws 
     and regulations.''

     ``SEC. 705. STATE PLANS: CERTIFICATION; ANNUAL REPORT; 
                   REFUNDS.

       ``(a) State Plans.--Within one year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Governor of every state eligible 
     to receive moneys from the Fund shall develop a state plan 
     for the use of such moneys and shall certify the plan to the 
     Secretary. The plan shall be developed with public 
     participation and shall include the plan for the use of such 
     funds by every political subdivision of the state eligible to 
     receive moneys from the Fund. The Governor shall certify to 
     the Secretary that the plan was developed with public 
     participation and in accordance with all applicable state 
     laws. The Governor shall amend the plan, as necessary, with 
     public participation, but not less then every five years.
       ``(b) Certification.--Not later than 60 days after the end 
     of the fiscal year, any political subdivision receiving 
     moneys from the Fund must certify to the Governor--
       ``(1) the amount of such funds expended by the political 
     subdivision during the previous fiscal year;
       ``(2) the amounts expended on each project or activity;
       ``(3) a general description of how the funds were expended; 
     and
       ``(4) the status of each project or activity, including a 
     certification that the project or activity is consistent with 
     the state plan development under paragraph (a).
       ``(c) Report.--On June 15 of each year, the Governor of 
     each State receiving moneys from the Fund shall account for 
     all moneys so received for the previous fiscal year in a 
     written report to the Secretary and the Congress. This report 
     shall include a description of all projects and activities 
     receiving funds under this Act, including all information 
     required under subsection (a).
       ``(d) Refunds.--In those instances where through judicial 
     decision, administrative review, arbitration, or other means 
     there are royalty refunds owed to entities generating 
     revenues under this Act, 27 percent of such refunds shall be 
     paid from amounts available in the Fund.''

           TITLE II--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND PROGRAM

     SECTION. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Reform Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       ``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 
     embodied a visionary concept--that a portion of the proceeds 
     from Outer Continental Shelf mineral leading revenues and the 
     depletion of a nonrenewable natural resource should result in 
     a legacy of public places accessible for public recreation 
     and benefit from resources belonging to all people, of all 
     generations, and the enhancement of the most precious and 
     most renewable natural resource of any nation, healthy and 
     active citizens.
       (2) The States and local governments were to occupy a 
     pivotal role in accomplishing the purposes of the Land Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 and the Act originally provided 
     an equitable portion of funds to the States, and through 
     them, to local governments.
       (3) However, because of competition for limited Federal 
     moneys and the need for an annual appropriation, this 
     original intention has been abandoned and, in recent years, 
     the States have not received an equitable proportion of 
     funds.
       (4) Nonetheless, with population growth and urban sprawl, 
     the demand for recreation and conservation areas, at the 
     State and local level, including urban localities, remains a 
     high priority for our citizens.
       (5) In addition to the demand at the State and local level, 
     there has been an increasing unmet need for Federal moneys to 
     be made available for Federal purposes, with lands identified 
     as important for Federal acquisition not being acquired for 
     several years due to insufficient funds.
       (6) A new vision is called for--a vision that encompasses a 
     multilevel; national network of parks, recreation and 
     conservation areas that reaches across the country to touch 
     all communities. National parks are not enough; the federal 
     government alone cannot accomplish this. A national vision, 
     backed by realistic national funding support, to stimulate 
     State, local and private sector, as well as Federal efforts, 
     is the only way to effectively address our ongoing outdoor 
     recreation and conservation needs.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to provide a 
     secure source of funds available for Federal purposes 
     authorized by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 
     1965 and to revitalize and complement State, local and 
     private commitments envisioned in the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 and the Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 by providing grants for 
     State, local and urban recreation and conservation needs.

     SEC. 203. LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Revenues.--Section 2(c)(1) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-5(c)(1)) 
     is amended as follows:
       (1) By inserting ``(A)'' after ``(c)(1)''.
       (2) By striking ``there are authorized'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``from 16 percent of the revenues, as 
     that term is defined in the Conservation and Reinvestment Act 
     of 1999, shall be deposited in the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund in the Treasury and shall be available, 
     without further appropriation, to carry out this Act for each 
     fiscal year thereafter through September 30, 2015.''
       (3) By adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) In those instances where through judicial decision, 
     administrative review, arbitration, or other means there are 
     royalty refunds owed to entities generating revenues 
     available for purposes of this Act, 16 percent of such 
     refunds shall be paid from amounts available under this 
     subsection.''.
       (b) Authorization.--Section 2(c)(2) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-5(c)(2)) 
     is amended by striking ``equivalent amounts provided in 
     clause (1)'' and inserting ``$900,000,000''.
       (c) Appropriation.--Section 3 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-6) is 
     amended by striking ``Moneys'' and inserting ``Except as 
     provided under section 460l-5(c)(1), moneys''.
       (d) Allocation of Funds.--Section 5 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-7) is 
     amended as follows:
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' at the beginning:
       (2) by striking ``Those appropriations from the fund'' and 
     all that follows; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

[[Page S417]]

       ``(b) Moneys credited to the fund under section 2(c)(1) of 
     this Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-5(c)(1)) for obligation or 
     expenditure may be obligated or expended only as follows--
       ``(1) 45 percent shall be available for Federal purposes. 
     Notwithstanding section 7 of this Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-
     9), 25 percent of such moneys shall be made available to the 
     Secretary of Agriculture for the acquisition of lands, 
     waters, or interests in land or water within the exterior 
     boundaries of areas of the National Forest System or any 
     other land management unit established by an Act of Congress 
     and managed by the Secretary of Agriculture and 75 percent of 
     such moneys shall be available to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for the acquisition of lands, waters, or interests 
     in land or water within the exterior boundaries of areas of 
     the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, or 
     other land management unit established by an Act of Congress; 
     Provided, that at least two-thirds of the moneys available 
     under this paragraph for Federal purposes shall be spent east 
     of the 100th meridian; Provided further, no moneys available 
     under this paragraph for Federal purposes shall be used for 
     condemnation of any interest of property.
       ``(2) 45 percent shall be available for financial 
     assistance to the States under section 6 of this Act (16 
     U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8) distributed according to the following 
     allocation formula;
       ``(A) 60 percent shall be apportioned equally among the 
     several States;
       ``(B) 20 percent shall be apportioned on the basis of the 
     ratio which the population of each State bears to the total 
     population of the United States;
       ``(C) 20 percent shall be apportioned on the basis of the 
     urban population in each State (as defined by Metropolitan 
     Statistical Areas).
       ``(3) 10 percent shall be available to local governments 
     through the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program (16 
     U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 2501-2514) of the Department of the 
     Interior.''.

     ``An amount, not to exceed 2 percent, of the total of such 
     moneys covered to the fund under section 2(c)(1) of this Act 
     (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-5(c)(1)) in each fiscal year as the 
     Secretary of the Interior may estimate to be necessary for 
     expenses in the administration and execution of this 
     subsection shall be deducted for that purpose, and such 
     amount is authorized to be made available therefor until the 
     expiration of the next succeeding fiscal year. Within 60 days 
     after the close of such fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     apportion any portion thereof as remains unexpended, if any, 
     on the same basis and in the same manner as is provided under 
     paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).
       (e) Rehabilitation.--Subsection 6(a) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(a)) is 
     amended by deleting ``(3) development.'' and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``(3) development, including the facility 
     rehabilitation.''
       (f) Tribes and Alaska Native Village Corporations.--
     Subsection 6(b)(5) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(b)(5)) is amended as 
     follows:
       (1) By inserting ``(A)'' after ``(5)''.
       (2) By adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) For the purposes of paragraph (1), all federally 
     recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village 
     Corporations (as defined in section 3(j) of the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(j)) shall be treated 
     collectively as 1 State, and shall receive shares of the 
     apportionment under paragraph (1) in accordance with a 
     competitive grant program established by the Secretary by 
     rule. Such rule shall ensure that in each fiscal year no 
     single tribe or Village Corporation receives more than 10 
     percent of the total amount made available to all tribes and 
     Village Corporations pursuant to the apportionment under 
     paragraph (1). Funds received by an Indian tribe or Village 
     Corporation under this subparagraph may be expended only for 
     the purposes specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of 
     subsection (b).''
       ``(g) Local Allocation.--Subsection 6(b) of the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-
     8(b)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(6) Absent some compelling and annually documented reason 
     to the contrary acceptable to the Secretary, each State 
     (other than an area treated as a State under paragraph (5)) 
     shall make available as grants to local governments at least 
     50 percent of the annual State apportionment, or an 
     equivalent amount made available from other sources.''
       ``(h) Match.--Subsection 6(c) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(c)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(c) Matching Requirements.--Payments to any State shall 
     cover not more than 50 percent of the cost of outdoor 
     recreation and conservation planning, acquisition or 
     development projects that are undertaken by the State.''
       ``(i) State Action Agenda.--Subsection 6(d) of the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-
     8(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) State Action Agenda Required.--Each State may define 
     its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor 
     recreation and conservation acquisition and development 
     projects eligible for grants under this Act so long as it 
     provides for public involvement in this process and publishes 
     an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community 
     Recreation and Conservation indicating the needs it has 
     identified and the priorities and criteria it has 
     established. In order to assess its needs and establish its 
     overall priorities, each State, in partnership with its local 
     governments and Federal agencies, and in consultation with 
     its citizens, shall develop a State Action Agenda for 
     Community Recreation and Conservation, within five years of 
     enactment, that meets the following requirements:
       ``(1) The agenda must be strategic, originating in broad-
     based and long-term needs, but focused on actions that can be 
     funded over the next 4 years.
       ``(2) The agenda must be updated at least once every 4 
     years and certified by the Governor that the State Action 
     Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation conclusions 
     and proposed actions have been considered in an active public 
     involvement process.

     ``State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and 
     Conservation shall take into account all providers of 
     recreation and conservation lands within each State, 
     including Federal, regional and local government resources 
     and shall be correlated whenever possible with other State, 
     regional, and local plans for parks, recreation, open space 
     and wetlands conservation.
       ``Each State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and 
     Conservation shall specifically address wetlands within that 
     State as important outdoor recreation and conservation 
     resources. Each State Action Agenda for Community Recreation 
     and Conservation shall incorporate a wetlands priority plan 
     developed in consultation with the State agency with 
     responsibility for fish and wildlife resources which is 
     consistent with that national wetlands priority conservation 
     plan developed under section 301 of the Emergency Wetlands 
     Resources Act.
       ``Recovery action programs developed by urban localities 
     under section 1007 of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery 
     Act of 1978 shall be used by a State as one guide to the 
     conclusions, priorities and action schedules contained in the 
     State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and 
     Conservation. Each State shall assure that any requirements 
     for local outdoor recreation and conservation planning that 
     are promulgated as conditions for grants minimize redundancy 
     of local efforts by allowing, wherever possible, use of the 
     findings, priorities, and implementation schedules of 
     recovery action programs to meet such requirements.''
       ``(j) Comprehensive State Plans developed by any State 
     under section 6(d) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(d)) before the enactment 
     of this Act shall remain in effect in that State until or 
     State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation 
     has been adopted pursuant to the amendment made by this 
     subsection, but no later than 5 years after the enactment of 
     this Act.
       ``(k) State Plans.--Subsection 6(e) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(e)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``State comprehensive plan'' at the end of 
     the first paragraph and inserting ``State Action Agenda for 
     Community Recreation and Conservation'';
       (2) by striking ``State comprehensive plan'' in paragraph 
     (1) and inserting ``State Action Agenda for Community 
     Recreation and Conservation''; and
       (3) by striking ``but not including incidental costs 
     related to acquisition'' at the end of paragraph (1).
       (l) Conversion.--Paragraph 6(f)(3) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-8(f)(3)) 
     is amended by striking the second sentence and inserting: 
     ``With the exception of those properties that are no longer 
     viable as an outdoor recreation and conservation facility due 
     to changes in demographics or must be abandoned because of 
     environmental contamination which endanger public health and 
     safety, the Secretary shall approve such conversion only if 
     the State demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative 
     exists. Any conversion must satisfy any conditions the 
     Secretary deemed necessary to assure the substitution of 
     other recreation and conservation properties of at least 
     equal fair market value, or reasonably equivalent usefulness 
     and location and which are in accord with the existing State 
     Action Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation: 
     Provided, That wetland areas and interests therein as 
     identified in the wetlands provisions of the action agenda 
     and proposed to be acquired as suitable replacement property 
     within that same State that is otherwise acceptable to the 
     Secretary shall be considered to be of reasonably equivalent 
     usefulness with the property proposed for conversion.''
       (m) Cost Limitations.--Section 7 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460l-9) is 
     amended by adding the following at the end thereof:
       ``(D) Maximum federal cost per project.--No expenditure 
     shall be made to acquire any Federal land the cost of which 
     exceeds $5,000,000 unless the funds for such acquisition have 
     been specifically allocated to the acquisition in the report 
     accompanying the legislation appropriating funds for the 
     Federal agency concerned and such allocation has been 
     approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Resources 
     of the United States House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United 
     States Senate.''

     SEC. 204. URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY ACT OF 1978 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Grants.--Section 1004 of the Urban Park and Recreation 
     Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2503) is amended by 
     redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as subsections 
     (f), (g),

[[Page S418]]

     and (h) respectively, and by inserting the following after 
     subsection (c):
       ``(d) `development grants' means matching capital grants to 
     local units of government to cover costs of development and 
     construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation 
     sites, including indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, 
     support facilities, and landscaping, but excluding routine 
     maintenance and upkeep activities;'';
       ``(e) `acquisition grants' means matching capital grants to 
     local units of government to cover the direct and incidental 
     costs of purchasing new parkland to be permanently dedicated 
     and made accessible for public recreation use;''.
       (b) Eligibility.--Subsection 1005(a) of the Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2504) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(a) Eligibility of general purpose local governments to 
     compete for assistance under this title shall be based upon 
     need as determined by the Secretary. Generally, the list of 
     eligible government shall include the following:
       ``(1) All central cities of Metropolitan, Primary or 
     Consolidated Statistical Areas as currently defined by the 
     census.
       ``(2) All political subdivisions included in Metropolitan, 
     Primary or Consolidated Statistical Areas as currently 
     defined by the census.
       ``(3) Any other city or town within a Metropolitan Area 
     with a total population of 50,000 or more in the census of 
     1970, 1980 or 1990.
       ``(4) Any other county, parish or township with a total 
     population of 250,000 or more in the census of 1970, 1980 or 
     1990.''
       (c) Matching Grants.--Subsection 1006(a) of the Urban Park 
     and Recreation Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2505(a)) is 
     amended by striking all through paragraph (3) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``Sec. 1006. (a) The Secretary is authorized to provide 70 
     percent matching grants for rehabilitation, innovation, 
     development or acquisition purposes to eligible general 
     purpose local governments upon his approval of applications 
     therefor by the chief executives of such governments.
       ``(1) At the discretion of such applicants, and if 
     consistent with an approved application, rehabilitation, 
     innovation, development or acquisition grants may be 
     transferred in whole or in part to independent special 
     purpose local governments, private nonprofit agencies or 
     county or regional park authorities; except that, such 
     grantees shall provide assurance to the Secretary that they 
     will maintain public recreation opportunities at assisted 
     areas and facilities owned or managed by them in accordance 
     with section 1010 of this Act.
       ``(2) Payments may be made only for those rehabilitation, 
     innovation, development, or acquisition projects which have 
     been approved by the Secretary. Such payments may be 
     made from time to time in keeping with the rate of 
     progress toward completion of a project, on a reimbursable 
     basis.''.
       (d) Coordination.--Section 1008 of the Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2507) is amended by 
     striking the last sentence and inserting the following: ``The 
     Secretary and general purpose local governments are 
     encouraged to coordinate preparation of recovery action 
     programs required by this title with State Action Agendas for 
     Community Recreation and Conservation required by section 6 
     of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, 
     including the allowance of flexibility in local preparation 
     of recovery action programs so that they may be used to meet 
     State or local qualifications for local receipt of Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund grants or State grants for similar 
     purposes or for other recreation or conservation purposes. 
     The Secretary shall also encourage States to consider the 
     findings, priorities, strategies and schedules included in 
     the recovery action programs of their urban localities in 
     preparation and updating of the State Action Agendas for 
     Community Recreation and Conservation, in accordance with the 
     public coordination and citizen consultation requirements of 
     subsection 6(d) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 
     of 1965.''
       (e) Conversion.--Section 1010 of the Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2509) is amended by 
     striking the first sentence and inserting the following: ``No 
     property acquired or improved or developed under this title 
     shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be converted to 
     other than public recreation uses. The Secretary shall 
     approve such conversion only if the grantee demonstrates no 
     prudent or feasible alternative exists (with the exception of 
     those properties that are no longer a viable recreation 
     facility due to changes in demographics or must be abandoned 
     because of environmental contamination which endanger public 
     health and safety). Any conversion must satisfy any 
     conditions the Secretary deems necessary to assure the 
     substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal 
     fair market value, or reasonably equivalent usefulness and 
     location and which are in accord with the current recreation 
     recovery action program.''
       (f) Repeal.--Section 1014 of the Urban Park and Recreation 
     Recovery Act (16 U.S.C. 2513) is repealed.

            TITLE III--WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Wildlife Conservation and 
     Restoration Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 302. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds and declares that--
       (1) a diverse array of species of fish and wildlife is of 
     significant value to the Nation for many reasons: aesthetic, 
     ecological, educational, cultural, recreational, economic, 
     and scientific;
       (2) it should be the objective of the United States to 
     retain for present and future generations the opportunity to 
     observe, understand, and appreciate a wide variety of 
     wildlife;
       (3) millions of citizens participate in outdoor recreation 
     through hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation, all of 
     which have significant value to the citizens who engage in 
     these activities;
       (4) providing sufficient and properly maintained wildlife 
     associated recreational opportunities is important to 
     enhancing public appreciation of a diversity of wildlife and 
     the habitats upon which they depend;
       (5) lands and waters which contain species classified 
     neither as game nor identified as endangered or threatened 
     also can provide opportunities for wildlife associated 
     recreation and education such as hunting and fishing 
     permitted by applicable State or Federal law;
       (6) hunters and anglers have for more than 60 years 
     willingly paid user fees in the form of Federal excise taxes 
     on hunting and fishing equipment to support wildlife 
     diversity and abundance, through enactment of the Federal Aid 
     in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the 
     Pittman-Robertson Act) and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish 
     Restoration (commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson/
     Wallop-Breaux Act);
       (7) State programs, adequately funded to conserve a broader 
     array of wildlife in an individual State and conducted in 
     coordination with Federal State, tribal, and private 
     landowners and interested organizations, would continue to 
     serve as a vital link in a nationwide effort to restore game 
     and nongame wildlife, and the essential elements of such 
     programs should include conservation measures which manage 
     for a diverse variety of populations of wildlife; and
       (8) it is proper for Congress to bolster and extend this 
     highly successful program to aid game and nongame wildlife in 
     supporting the health and diversity of habitat, as well as 
     providing funds for conservation education.

     SEC. 303. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this title are--
       (1) to extend financial and technical assistance to the 
     States under the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act for 
     the benefit of a diverse array of wildlife and associated 
     habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished, to 
     fulfill unmet needs of wildlife within the States while 
     recognizing the mandate of the States to conserve all 
     wildlife;
       (2) to assure sound conservation policies through the 
     development, revision and implementation of wildlife 
     associated recreation and wildlife associated education and 
     wildlife conservation law enforcement;
       (3) to encourage State fish and wildlife agencies to create 
     partnerships between the Federal Government, other State 
     agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, and outdoor 
     recreation and conservation interests through cooperative 
     planning and implementation of this title; and
       (4) to encourage State fish and wildlife agencies to 
     provide for public involvement in the process of development 
     and implementation of a wildlife conservation and restoration 
     program.

     SEC. 304. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Reference to Law.--In this title, the term ``Federal 
     Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act'' means the Act of September 
     2, 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), commonly referred to as the 
     Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act or the Pittman-
     Robertson Act.
       (b) Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program.--Section 
     2 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669a) is amended by inserting after ``shall be construed'' in 
     the first place it appears the following: ``to include the 
     wildlife conservation and restoration program and''.
       (c) State Agencies.--Section 2 of the Federal Aid in 
     Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is amended by 
     inserting ``or State fish and wildlife department'' after 
     ``State fish and game department''.
       (d) Conservation.--Section 2 is amended by striking the 
     period at the end thereof, substituting a semicolon, and 
     adding the following: ``the term `conservation' shall be 
     construed to mean the use of methods and procedures necessary 
     or desirable to sustain healthy populations of wildlife 
     including all activities associated with scientific resources 
     management such as research, census, monitoring of 
     populations, acquisition, improvement and management of 
     habitat, live trapping and transplantation, wildlife damage 
     management, and periodic or total protection of a species or 
     population as well as the taking of individuals within 
     wildlife stock or population if permitted by applicable State 
     and Federal law; the term `wildlife conservation and 
     restoration program' shall be construed to mean a program 
     developed by a State fish and wildlife department that the 
     Secretary determines meets the criteria in section 6(d), the 
     projects that constitute such a program, which may be 
     implemented in whole or part through grants and contracts by 
     a State to other State, Federal, or local agencies wildlife 
     conservation organizations and outdoor recreation and 
     conservation education entities from funds apportioned under 
     this title, and maintenance of such projects; the term 
     `wildlife' shall be construed to mean any species of wild, 
     free-

[[Page S419]]

     ranging fauna including fish, and also fauna in captive 
     breeding programs the object of which is to reintroduce 
     individuals of a depleted indigenous species into previously 
     occupied range; the term `wildlife-associated recreation' 
     shall be construed to mean projects intended to meet the 
     demand for outdoor activities associated with wildlife 
     including, but not limited to, hunting and fishing, such 
     projects as construction or restoration of wildlife viewing 
     areas, observation towers, blinds, platforms, land and water 
     trails, water access, trailheads, and access for such 
     projects; and the term `wildlife conservation education' 
     shall be construed to mean projects, including public 
     outreach, intended to foster responsible natural resource 
     stewardship.''.
       (e) 7 Percent.--Subsection 3(a) of the Federal Aid in 
     Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b(a)) is amended in 
     the first sentence by--
       (1) inserting ``(1)'' after ``(beginning with the fiscal 
     year 1975)''; and
       (2) inserting after ``Internal Revenue Code of 1954'' the 
     following: ``, and (2) from 7 percent of the revenues, as 
     that term is defined in the Conservation and Reinvestment Act 
     of 1999,''.

     SEC. 305. SUBACCOUNTS AND REFUNDS.

       Section 3 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669b) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsections:
       ``(c) A subaccount shall be established in the Federal aid 
     to wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury to be known as 
     the `wildlife conservation and restoration account' and the 
     credits to such account shall be equal to the 7 percent of 
     revenues referred to in subsection (a)(2). Amounts in such 
     account shall be invested by the Secretary of the Treasury as 
     set forth in subsection (b) and shall be made available 
     without further appropriation, together with interest, for 
     apportionment at the beginning of fiscal year 2000 and each 
     fiscal year thereafter to carry out State wildlife 
     conservation and restoration programs.
       ``(d) Funds covered into the wildlife conservation and 
     restoration account shall supplement, but not replace, 
     existing funds available to the States from the sport fish 
     restoration and wildlife restoration accounts and shall be 
     used for the development, revision, and implementation of 
     wildlife conservation and restoration programs and should be 
     used to address the unmet needs for a diverse array of 
     wildlife and associated habitats, including species that are 
     not hunted or fished, for wildlife conservation, wildlife 
     conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation 
     projects: Provided, That such funds may be used for new 
     programs and projects as well as to enhance existing programs 
     and projects.
       ``(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this Act, 
     with respect to the wildlife conservation and restoration 
     account so much of the appropriation apportioned to any State 
     for any fiscal year as remains unexpended at the close 
     thereof is authorized to be made available for expenditure in 
     that State until the close of the fourth succeeding fiscal 
     year. Any amount apportioned to any State under this 
     subsection that is unexpended or unobligated at the end of 
     the period during which it is available for expenditure on 
     any project is authorized to be reapportioned to all States 
     during the succeeding fiscal year.
       ``(f) In those instances where through judicial decision, 
     administrative review, arbitration, or other means there are 
     royalty refunds owed to entities generating revenues 
     available for purposes of this Act, 7 percent of such refunds 
     shall be paid from amounts available under subsection 
     (a)(2).''.

     SEC. 306. ALLOCATION OF SUBACCOUNT RECEIPTS.

       Section 4 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended by adding the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), an amount, not to 
     exceed 2 percent, of the revenues covered into the wildlife 
     conservation and restoration account in each fiscal year as 
     the Secretary of the Interior may estimate to be necessary 
     for expenses in the administration and execution of programs 
     carried out under the wildlife conservation and restoration 
     account shall be deducted for that purpose, and such amount 
     is authorized to be made available therefor until the 
     expiration of the next succeeding fiscal year. Within 60 days 
     after the close of such fiscal year, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall apportion any portion thereof as remains 
     unexpended, if any, on the same basis and in the same manner 
     as is provided under paragraphs (2) and (3).
       ``(2) The Secretary of the Interior, after making the 
     deduction under paragraph (1), shall make the following 
     apportionment from the amount remaining in the wildlife 
     conservation and restoration account:
       ``(A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth 
     of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than \1/2\ of 1 
     percent thereof; and
       ``(B) to Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum 
     equal to not more than \1/6\ of 1 percent thereof.
       ``(3) The Secretary of the Interior, after making the 
     deduction under paragraph (1) and the apportionment under 
     paragraph (2), shall apportion the remaining amount in the 
     wildlife conservation and restoration account for each year 
     among the States in the following manner:
       ``(A) \1/3\ of which is based on the ratio to which the 
     land area of such State bears to the total land area of all 
     such States; and
       ``(B) \2/3\ of which is based on the ratio to which the 
     population of such State bears to the total population of all 
     such States.
     ``The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be 
     adjusted equitably so that no such State shall be apportioned 
     a sum which is less than \1/2\ of 1 percent of the amount 
     available for apportionment under this paragraph for any 
     fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount.''.
       ``(d) Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Programs.--Any 
     State, through its fish and wildlife department, may apply to 
     the Secretary for approval of a wildlife conservation and 
     restoration program or for funds to develop a program, which 
     shall--
       ``(1) contain provision for vesting in the fish and 
     wildlife department of overall responsibility and 
     accountability for development and implementation of the 
     program; and
       ``(2) contain provision for development and implementation 
     of--
       ``(A) wildlife conservation projects which expand and 
     support existing wildlife programs to meet the needs of a 
     diverse array of wildlife species,
       ``(B) wildlife associated recreation programs, and
       ``(C) wildlife conservation education projects.

     If the Secretary of the Interior finds that an application 
     for such program contains the elements specified in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall approve such 
     application and set aside from the apportionment to the State 
     made pursuant to section 4(c) an amount that shall not exceed 
     90 percent of the estimated cost of developing and 
     implementing segments of the program for the first 5 fiscal 
     years following enactment of this subsection and not to 
     exceed 75 percent thereafter. Not more than 10 percent of the 
     amounts apportioned to each State from the subaccount for the 
     State's wildlife conservation and restoration program may be 
     used for law enforcement. Following approval, the Secretary 
     may make payments on a project that is a segment of the 
     State's wildlife conservation and restoration program as the 
     project progresses but such payments, including previous 
     payments on the project, if any, shall not be more than the 
     United States pro rata share of such project. The Secretary, 
     under such regulations as he may prescribe, may advance funds 
     representing the United States pro rata share of a project 
     that is a segment of a wildlife conservation and restoration 
     program, including funds to develop such program. For 
     purposes of this subsection, the term `State' shall include 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
       (b) FACA.--Coordination with State fish and wildlife 
     department personnel or with personnel of other State 
     agencies pursuant to the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration 
     Act or the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act shall 
     not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
     U.S.C. App.). Except for the preceding sentence, the 
     provisions of this title relate solely to wildlife 
     conservation and restoration programs as defined in this 
     title and shall not be construed to affect the provisions of 
     the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act relating to 
     wildlife restoration projects or the provisions of the 
     Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act relating to fish 
     restoration and management projects.

     SEC. 307. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.

       The third sentence of subsection (a) of section 8 of the 
     Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669g) is 
     amended by inserting before the period at the end thereof: 
     ``, except that funds available from this subaccount for a 
     State wildlife conservation and restoration program may be 
     used for law enforcement and public relations''.

     SEC. 308. PROHIBITION AGAINST DIVERSION.

       No designated State agency shall be eligible to receive 
     matching funds under this Act if sources of revenue available 
     to it on January 1, 1998, for conservation of wildlife are 
     diverted for any purpose other than the administration of the 
     designated State agency, it being the intention of Congress 
     that funds available to States under this Act be added to 
     revenues from existing State sources and not serve as a 
     substitute for revenues from such sources. Such revenues 
     shall include interest, dividends, or other income earned on 
     the foregoing.

  Mr. MURKOWKSI. Mr. President, I rise today, along with a bipartisan 
group of Senators, to introduce the Conservation and Reinvestment Act 
of 1999.
  This important piece of legislation remedies a tremendous inequity in 
the distribution of revenues generated by offshore oil and gas 
production by directing that a portion of those moneys be allocated to 
coastal States and communities who shoulder the responsibility for 
energy development activity off their coastlines. It also provides a 
secure funding source for state recreation and wildlife conservation 
programs.
  By reinvesting revenues from offshore oil and gas production into a 
variety of important conservation, recreation and environmental 
programs,

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this bill will rededicate the Federal government to a partnership with 
state and local governments to meet the demands of all Americans for 
outdoor experiences. In addition, it reaffirms the original premise of 
the Land and Water Conservation Fund that a portion of the revenues 
obtained by the Federal government from the development of our natural 
resources should be reinvested into the outdoor recreation and natural 
resource estate of the Nation.
  This bill is the start of a process. It is a bipartisan bill. And, 
like any bipartisan bill reflects choices and compromises. It contains 
provisions which need to be examined in detail as the legislative 
process moves forward. I also anticipate a series of amendments from 
both sides of the aisle to the bill. I know there are amendments I 
intend to offer to make this bill a better bill for my constituents. 
That is what the legislative process is all about. As Chairman of the 
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, I promise to devote 
the time necessary to flesh these issues out and to give all parties 
which have interest in this bill an opportunity to be heard. This bill 
warrants nothing less.
  Title 1 of the bill, which provides for coastal impact assistance, is 
similar to legislation I have introduced in prior Congresses and is an 
issue I have worked on for my entire Senate career.
  Title 1 is based on a Minerals Management Service advisory committee 
report. It directs that 27 percent of the revenues generated from oil 
and natural gas production on the Outer Continental Shelf--or OCS--be 
returned to coastal States and communities that share the burdens of 
exploration and production off their coastlines. Offshore oil and gas 
production generates $3 to $4 billion in revenues annually for the U.S. 
Treasury. Yet, unlike mineral receipts from onshore Federal lands, OCS 
oil and gas revenues are not directly returned to the States in which 
production occurs.
  This legislation remedies this disparity. States and communities that 
bear the responsibilities for offshore oil and gas production will 
finally share in its benefits. This legislation would, for the first 
time, share revenues generated by OCS oil and gas activities with 
counties, parishes and boroughs--the local governmental entities most 
directly affected--and State governments.
  The bill also acknowledges that all coastal States, including those 
States bordering the Great Lakes, have unique needs and directs that a 
portion of OCS revenues be shared with these States, even if no OCS 
production occurs off their coasts. Coastal States and communities can 
use OCS Impact Assistance funds on everything from environmental 
programs, to coastal and marine conservation efforts, to new 
infrastructure requirements.
  In Alaska, Boroughs could use OCS funds to participate in the 
environmental planning process required by Federal laws before OCS 
development occurs. Other rural coastal communities in Alaska could use 
the money for sanitation improvements. While still others, like 
Unalakleet, may use the money to construct sea walls and breakwaters or 
beach rehabilitation--efforts which will combat the impacts of coastal 
erosion. Further, as the Federal OCS program expands in Alaska, this 
legislation will mean even more revenues to the State, boroughs and 
local communities.
  This is a true investment in the future. This is money that will be 
used, day-in and day-out, to improve the quality of life of coastal 
State residents--money which come from oil and gas production.
  As Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I know all 
too well that offshore oil and gas production is a lightning rod of 
environmental groups who will go to great lengths to disparage an 
activity that is vital to the long-term energy and economic security of 
this country. These groups will likely say that this bill creates 
incentives for offshore oil and gas production because a factor in the 
distribution formula is a State's proximity to OCS production.
  Let us remember, this is an impact assistance bill--revenue sharing, 
if you will. States only will have impacts if they have production. The 
States with production, obviously, have greater needs and are most 
deserving of a large share of OCS revenues.
  Mr. President, let me also remind everyone, that OCS production only 
occurs off the coasts of 6 States--yet the bill shares OCS revenues 
with 34 States. There are 28 coastal States that will get a share of 
OCS revenues which have no OCS production. In fact, in all areas except 
the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska there is a moratorium prohibiting any new 
OCS production.
  It is the long-term best interest of this country to support 
responsible and sustainable development of nonrenewable resources. We 
now import more than 50 percent of our domestic petroleum requirements 
and the Department of Energy's Information Administration predicts, in 
ten years, America will be at least 64 percent dependent on foreign 
oil. OCS development will play an important role in offsetting even 
greater dependence on foreign energy.
  The OCS accounts for 24 percent of this Nation's natural gas 
production and 14 percent of its oil production. We need to ensure that 
the OCS continues to meet our future domestic energy needs.
  I firmly believe that the Federal government needs to do all it can 
to pursue and encourage further technological advances in OCS 
exploration and production. These technological achievements have and 
will continue to result in new OCS production having an unparalleled 
record of excellence on environmental and safety issues. Additional 
technological advances with appropriate incentives will further improve 
new resource recovery and therefore increase revenues to the Treasury 
for the benefit of all Americans who enjoy programs funded by OCS 
money.
  I will do all I can to ensure a healthy OCS program, including new 
OCS development in the Arctic. A number of challenges face new 
developments in this area--I am confident that we can work through them 
all. History has shown us that in the Arctic, and in other OCS areas, 
development and the environmental protection are compatible.
  This bill also takes a portion of the revenues received by the 
Federal government from OCS development and invests it in conservation 
and wildlife programs. Thus, Titles 2 and 3 of the bill share OCS 
revenues with ALL States for these purposes.
  Title 2 of this bill provides a secure source of funding for the Land 
and Water Conservation Fund. The LWCF was established over three 
decades ago to provide Federal money for State and Federal land 
acquisition and help meet Americans recreation needs.
  Over thirty years ago, Congress had the foresight to recognize the 
ever growing need of the American public for parks and recreation 
facilities with the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
Act. That landmark piece of legislation was premised on the belief that 
revenues earned from the depletion of a nonrenewable resource need to 
be reinvested in a renewable resource for the benefit of future 
generations. This rationale is as valid today as it was in the mid-
1960s.
  To accomplish this goal, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 
directs that revenues earned from offshore oil and gas production 
should be spent on the acquisition of Federal recreation lands by the 
land management agencies. The Act also creates a state-side matching 
grant program.
  The state-side matching grant program provides 50-50 matching grants 
to States and local communities for the acquisition and construction of 
park and recreation facilities. The state-side program has a truly 
unique legacy in the history of American conservation by providing the 
States with a leadership role in the provision of recreation 
opportunities. Through the 1995 Fiscal Year, over 3.2 billion in 
Federal dollars have been leveraged to fund over 37 thousand state and 
local park and recreation projects.
  Yet, despite these successes, the President had not requested any 
money for the state-side program for the last four years. This is a 
program supported by this Nation's mayors, Governors, and the 
recreation community. The state-side matching grant should not have to 
justify annually its existence with Congressional appropriators.
  The same can be said of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery 
program established by Congress in 1978. UPAR provides Federal funds to 
distressed urban areas to rehabilitate and construct recreation 
facilities.
  Together, these programs strived to create a national system of parks 
that

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would, day-in and day-out, meet the recreation and open-space demands 
of the American public. Title 2 recognizes the value of the state-side 
LWCF matching grant program and the UPAR program by providing them with 
the stable source of funding they have been lacking.
  I also want to mention the money this bill provides for Federal land 
acquisition. To many westerners, including myself, the Federal 
government already owns too much land. In my state of Alaska, the four 
Federal land management agencies alone manage more than 60 percent of 
all the acreage in the State.
  Nonetheless, the demand for Federal land acquisition dollars is 
significant. The four Federal land management agencies have identified 
more than 45 million acres of privately owned lands lying within the 
boundaries of Federal land management units, including national parks, 
national forests, and national wildlife refuges. Many of these 
inholders, who want to sell, have been waiting for decades to receive 
compensation from the Federal government for their property. In many 
instances these landowners must suffer with restrictions on access to 
and use of their lands while they wait endlessly for the funds to 
compensate them for their land.

  In recognition of these competing propositions regarding Federal 
ownership, the bill tries to reach a balance. It provides money for 
Federal land acquisition. However, limitations are placed on its 
expenditure. First, Federal land acquisition money available under this 
bill only could be used to purchase lands within the boundaries of 
conservation areas established by an Act of Congress. Second, such 
lands only could be purchased from willing sellers. That is, the 
Federal land acquisition money available under this bill could not be 
used to condemn any property. The use of eminent domain is explicitly 
foreclosed. Third, three-quarters of the money must be spent on land 
acquisition east of the 100th meridian (east of Texas). These 
provisions are more restrictive than the current law regarding the use 
of LWCF moneys for Federal land acquisitions.
  I know that there are many who are not happy with this compromise. I 
cannot say I am happy totally with it. I do not think it provides 
adequate protections for the roles and responsibilities of the 
authorizing and appropriations committees. I can pledge that this will 
be an issue subject to discussions on the Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee. Under our Constitutional system of government, Congress has 
the plenary authority over Federal lands and appropriations. I believe 
that the historic role of Congress is setting the priorities for land 
acquisition should be preserved. Certainly, the President should set 
forth his preferences, as he does now, but in the final analysis the 
Congress should approved any expenditure.
  Title 3 of this bill provides funding for State fish and wildlife 
conservation programs. In Alaska, with its unparalleled natural beauty, 
fishing and hunting are two of the most popular forms of outdoor 
recreation. The bill directs that a portion of OCS revenues should go 
to the State for wildlife purposes.
  The money would be distributed through the Pittman-Robertson program 
administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This money 
could be used for both game and non-game wildlife. With the inclusion 
of OCS revenues, the amount of money available for state fish and game 
programs would nearly double.
  This is a no-tax alternative to the ``Teaming with Wildlife'' 
proposal. States will be able to use these moneys to increase fish and 
wildlife populations and improve fish and wildlife habitat. States also 
could use the money for wildlife education programs.
  The bill creates a new subaccount, under Pittman-Robertson, called 
the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration account. The money in this 
account, from OCS revenues, will provide the funding needed to move the 
conservation community beyond the debate over game versus non-game 
funding. States will have the flexibility on deciding how to spend 
these funds to meet the conservation demands of all their residents.
  I am proud of this proposal which will be a win-win for the oil and 
gas industry, the States, environmental and conservation groups, and 
all Americans.
  I know it will be a win-win for Alaskans. Alaska is projected to 
receive more than $130 million annually from this proposal. In Fiscal 
Year 2000, Alaska would receive approximately $110 million in OCS 
Impact Assistance. Of this total, the State would receive $44 million 
as would coastal communities within 200 miles of an OCS lease including 
the North Slope Borough, Barrow, and Kaktovik. Other coastal 
communities, not near an OCS lease, like Valdez and Homer, would 
receive $22 million. These funds could be used for infrastructure, 
including sanitation improvements and safe roads, coastal erosion 
projects, and environmental protection programs. Title 2 and 3 of the 
bill provide an additional $21 million for state and local park, 
recreation, and wildlife conservation programs.
  These funds are sorely needed to meet the needs of the communities in 
Alaska and the skyrocketing public demand for wildlife and outdoor 
recreation programs and facilities within the State. Given this demand, 
I have received letters of support from throughout Alaska, including 
the cities of Barrow, Cordova, Soldotna, Haines, Sitka, Kotzebue and 
the Kodiak Island Burrough.
  This bill is far from perfect but it is a step to ensuring not only 
that Coastal States have money to address the effects of OCS-activities 
but that all States have funds necessary to provide outdoor recreation 
and conservation resources for all of us to enjoy.
  As we begin the 106th Congress, I can pledge, as Chairman of the 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, that the enactment of this bill 
will be one of my highest priorities this year. I intend to hold a 
series of hearings on the bill to examine, in detail, its provisions. 
In closing, I encourage not only the members of the Senate but also all 
Americans to support this important and exciting piece of conservation 
legislation.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I join my colleagues, Senators, 
Murkowski and Landrieu in introducing the bipartisan ``Conservation and 
Re-Investment Act of 1999''. The Conservation and Re-Investment Act 
will serve to provide dedicated funding for the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund, wildlife enhancement programs and urban parks 
development by redirecting a portions of the royalty revenues derived 
from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production. In addition, this 
bill will redirect a portion of Outer Continental Shelf royalties 
directly back to coastal states which have been impacted by Outer 
Continental Shelf oil and gas production in order to assist those 
states in restoring and preserving air quality, water quality, 
wetlands, estuaries and other coastal resources and environments 
impacted by Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production.
  This bill will allow coastal states to create trust funds, the 
revenues of which can be used in perpetuity for such purposes as 
environmental protection, conservation, water quality and public land 
purchases. Recognizing the boom and bust nature of oil and gas 
production, Alabama long ago created a protected trust fund from the 
oil and gas royalties it receives from development off its' coast. The 
revenues derived from the investment this fund have been used by the 
state to fund popular wildlife conservation programs and the state's 
``Forever Wild'' program. These programs have permitted the state to 
make land purchases to create and expand Alabama's park system and to 
help create additional outdoor recreation opportunities for its 
citizens. It is my hope that this bill will create the conduit for 
other states and the federal government to follow the example set by my 
home state of Alabama. While the revenues derived from this fund will 
be limited to the goals of the Conservation and Re-Investment Act, a 
prudent coastal state must consider this option to guard against the 
boom and bust nature of the oil and gas business.
  Mr. President, this bill will go a long way towards protecting the 
environment and increasing conservation in coastal states and the 
entire nation by creating a dedicated funding mechanism to fulfill 
these goals. We, along with future generations, will benefit greatly 
from this legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues

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to craft a bill which can continue to enjoy bi-partisan support and be 
passed into law.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I join my 
colleagues, Senators Landrieu, Murkowski and Sessions, in introducing 
the Reinvestment and Environmental Restoration Act.
  Mr. President, since the inception of the oil and gas program on the 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), States and coastal communities have 
sought a greater share of the benefits from development. And why 
shouldn't they? These communities provide the infrastructure, public 
services, manpower and support industries necessary to sustain this 
development.
  Currently, the majority of OCS revenues are funneled into the Federal 
Treasury where they are used to pay for various Federal programs and to 
reduce the deficit. While funding programs and reducing the deficit is 
certainly important, I believe that some percentage of the revenues 
should be reinvested in the affected region.
  Our bill does just that. The Reinvestment and Environmental 
Restoration Act diverts one-half of the OCS revenues from the Federal 
Treasury to coastal States and communities for a multitude of programs: 
air and water quality monitoring, wetlands protection, coastal 
restoration and shoreline protection, land acquisition, infrastructure, 
public service needs, State park and recreation programs and wildlife 
conservation.
  This bill allows States and communities to use these funds. These 
States will effectively use the funds for local needs. In Pascagoula, 
for example, authorities might choose to restore and secure the 
shoreline where years of sea traffic have taken their toll. Further 
north in Vancleave, they may choose instead to refurbish the roads and 
bridges that carry the heavy machinery coming and going from the coast. 
This bill provides a framework within which these localities can make 
the right decisions for their citizens and their environment.
  Mr. President, I have been working on this issue for many, many 
years. As a ``coast dweller myself,'' I know the impact that the oil 
and gas industry can have on communities and the importance of 
reinvestment in these areas. This is not to say that the industry 
mistreats the States; on the contrary, they work very hard to comply 
with stringent environmental regulations and to take care of the 
community as best they can. The OCS Policy Committee said in 1993 that, 
despite the oil industry's best efforts, ``OCS development still can 
affect community infrastructure, social services and the environment in 
ways that cause concerns among residents of the coastal States and 
communities.''
  I know that there is no way to totally eliminate this impact on 
coastal communities. I also know that, while the benefits of a healthy 
OCS program are felt nationally, the infrastructure, environmental and 
social costs are felt locally. Our bill would put money back into the 
communities that need it most.
  It would also put money back into the environmental resources of the 
area. Exploration for non-renewable resources and stewardship of 
coastal resources are not mutually exclusive, but must be carefully 
balanced for both to be sustained. It is important that wetlands, 
fisheries and water resources are taken into consideration. Affordable 
adequate protection is possible.
  In addition to supporting up the States and coastal communities, our 
bill also provides funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
(LWCF). More than 30 years ago, Congress set up this fund to address 
the American public's desire for more parks and recreational 
facilities. This bill makes the program self-sufficient, providing a 
secure funding source from the OCS revenues. This is an investment in 
our future--our land, our natural resources and our recreational 
enjoyment.
  Mr. President, our bill makes yet another investment with these OCS 
revenues--an investment in fish and wildlife programs. With the 
inclusion of OCS revenues, the amount of money available for State 
programs would nearly double. This is money that can be used to 
increase fish and wildlife populations and habitats. It could even be 
used for wildlife education programs.
  Mr. President, this bill was carefully crafted to strike a balance 
between the needs and interests of the oil and gas industry, the 
States, and the environmental and conservation groups. It's a good 
package that will benefit all Americans, not just those who live and 
work in coastal areas. It will benefit hunters and anglers. It will 
benefit bird watchers and campers. It will benefit all Americans who 
take solace in the fact that the oil industry is taking care of the 
communities that support it.
  I appreciate the hard work of my colleagues and look forward to 
advancing this important legislation in the 106th Congress.
                                 ______