[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1809-S1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Torricelli):
  S. 446. A bill to provide for the permanent protection of the 
resources of the United States in the year 2000 and beyond; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


         PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR AMERICA'S RESOURCES 2000 ACT

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Permanent 
Protection for America's Resources 2000 Act--Resources 2000. This 
legislation is the most sweeping commitment to protecting America's 
natural heritage in more than a generation. It will establish a 
permanent, dedicated funding source for resource protection. I am 
honored to be working on this legislation with Congressman George 
Miller in the House of Representatives, and my Senate Colleagues, 
Senator John Kerry and Senator Robert Torricelli.
  As we embark upon the 21st Century, it is time to make a new 
commitment to our natural heritage--one that can take its place beside 
the legacy left by President Teddy Roosevelt as we began this century. 
That new commitment must go beyond a piecemeal approach to preserving 
our natural resources. It must be a comprehensive, long-term strategy 
that enables us to ensure that when our children's children enter the 
22nd Century, they can herald our actions today, as we revere those of 
President Roosevelt.
  Today our natural heritage is disappearing at an alarming rate. Each 
year, nearly 3 million acres of farmland and more than 170,000 acres of 
wetlands disappear. Each day, over 7,000 acres of open space are lost 
forever.
  All across America, we now see parks closing, recreational facilities 
deteriorating, open space disappearing, historic structures crumbling.
  Why is this happening? Because there is no dedicated fund for all 
these noble purposes--which can be used only for these noble purposes.
  The legislation that I am introducing today will address this problem 
in a comprehensive Resources 2000 in a bold, historic initiative to 
provide substantial and permanent funding from

[[Page S1810]]

offshore oil resources for the acquisition, improvement and maintenance 
of public resources throughout the United States: public lands, parks, 
marine and coastal resources, historic preservation, fish and wildlife. 
Resources 2000 will provide permanent, annual funding for historically 
underfunded, high priority resources, preservation goals.
  A major funding source for resource protection already exists. Each 
year, oil companies pay the federal government billions of dollars in 
rents, royalties, and other fees in connection with offshore drilling 
in federal waters. In 1998 alone, the government collected over $4.6 
billion from oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.
  My bill would allocate $1.4 billion every year for land acquisition, 
park and recreational development, historic preservation, land 
restoration, ocean conservation, farmland preservation, and endangered 
species recovery.
  Resources 2000 will also mandate full funding of the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund. In 1965, Congress established this Fund, which was 
to receive $900 million a year from federal oil revenues for 
acquisition of sensitive lands and wetlands.
  The good news is that Fund has collected over $21 billion since 1965. 
The bad news is that only $9 billion of this amount has been spent on 
its intended uses. More than $16 billion has been shifted into other 
federal accounts.
  On the ground, this means that we have purchased some key tracts of 
land in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Redwood National 
Park, Tahoe National Forest, and Channel Islands National Park, among 
many others.
  At the same time, however, we missed golden opportunities to buy 
critical open space because the Land and Water Conservation Fund was 
underfunded. Some of these parcels--in the Santa Monica Mountains, 
along the Pacific Crest Trail, and elsewhere throughout California--
have since been lost. If we had been able to use the entire Fund, these 
areas would have been protected.
  To preserve meaningful tracts of open space, we must spend the entire 
Fund to acquire land and water. Congress must move to take the Fund 
``off budget'' and use it all for its intended purposes.
  Resources 2000 would fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at 
$900 million per year, the full level authorized by Congress. Half of 
this amount would be dedicated to federal acquisition of lands for our 
national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other 
public lands. The other half would go for matching grants to the states 
for land acquisition, planning, and development of outdoor recreation 
facilities.
  Furthermore, this can be done without causing further harm to the 
environment. My bill does not contain any incentives for new offshore 
oil drilling. All of the revenue would have to come from already 
producing leases.
  The bill contains eight titles as follows:


 Title I--Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization--$900 million

  Federal: $450 million
  Stateside: $450 million
  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 would take the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund (LWCF) ``off-budget'' and require the federal 
government to spend the entire $900 million for its designated purpose 
of land acquisition.
  One-half of the annual $900 million allocation of the LWCF would be 
dedicated to federal land acquisition purposes. These funds would be 
used to acquire lands or interests in lands authorized by Congress for 
our national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and 
public lands.
  The other $450 million allocation of the LWCF would go for matching 
grants to the States for the acquisition of lands or interests in 
lands, planning, and development of outdoor recreation facilities. Of 
this $450 million, two-thirds will be allocated by formula of which 30 
percent shall be distributed equally among the States, and 70 percent 
apportioned on the basis of the population each state bears to the 
total population of all states. The remaining one-third would be 
awarded on the basis of competitive grants.


  Title II--Urban Parks and Recreational Recovery Program Amendments--
                              $100 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 would provide a mandatory $100 
million a year of OCS revenue for the Urban Parks and Recreational 
Recovery program (UPARR). This funding would be used by the Secretary 
of the Interior to provide competitive matching grants to local 
governments to rehabilitate recreation areas and facilities, provide 
for the development of improved recreation programs, and to acquire, 
develop, or construct new recreation sites and facilities.
  This program is intended to encourage and stimulate local governments 
to revitalize their park and recreation systems and to make long-term 
commitments to continuing maintenance of these systems. UPARR is also 
designed to improve recreation facilities and expand recreation 
services in urban areas with a high incidence of crime and to help 
deter crime through the expansion of recreation opportunities for at-
risk youth.


          Title III--Historic Preservation Fund--$150 million

  Summary of Title: Your bill would take the Historic Preservation Fund 
``off-budget'' and require the federal government to spend the entire 
$150 million a year of OCS revenue for the designated purposes of the 
Historic Preservation Fund. Your bill would also require that 50 
percent of the funds provided be used for physically preserving 
historic properties (so-called ``brick and mortar'' activities).
  Under current law, the National Historic Preservation Act established 
the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in 1977. The Act requires that 
$150 million in revenue from offshore oil drilling be placed in the HPF 
each year. Congress is authorized to appropriate money from the fund to 
carry out the National Historic Preservation Act. Such activities 
include grants to states, maintaining the National Register of Historic 
Places, and administering numerous historic preservation programs. The 
Act allows up to one-third of the funds for priority preservation 
projects of public and private entities, including preserving historic 
structures and sites, as well as, significant documents, photographs, 
works of art, etc.


 Title IV--Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection--
                              $150 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes the Farmland, Ranchland, 
Open Space, and Forestland Protection Fund to provide matching, 
competitive grants to state, local and tribal governments for purchase 
of conservation easements to protect privately owned farmland, 
ranchland and forests from encroaching development. To help communities 
grow in ways that maintain open space and viable agricultural sectors 
of their economies. Such grants could be used to match state or local 
long term bond initiatives approved by voters to preserve green spaces 
for conservation, recreation and other environmental goals.

  The Fund has three basic sections. The first funds the Farmland 
Protection Program at $50 million a year. This funding would be used by 
the Secretary of Agriculture to provide matching grants to eligible 
entities to purchase permanent conservation easements in land so that 
it can be maintained as farmland or open space.
  The second funds a new program--the Ranchland Protection Program--at 
$50 million a year. Modeled after the Farmland Protection Program, the 
Ranchland Protection Program would be used by the Secretary of the 
Interior to provide matching grants to eligible entities to purchase 
permanent conservation easements on ranchland that is in danger of 
conversion to nonagricultural uses and is pending offer for the 
preservation of open space and will yield a significant public benefit.
  The third section funds the Forest Legacy Program at $50 million a 
year. The Forest Legacy Program is a similar program for protecting 
environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by 
conversion to nonforest uses. Under this program, the Secretary of 
Agriculture will provide matching grants to eligible entities to 
purchase conservation easements for forest lands.
  For the purposes of this title an eligible entity is an agency of a 
State or local government, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or a 
non-profit environment/land trust organization.


    Title V--Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund--$250 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund to provide a 
mandatory $250 million a year to undertake

[[Page S1811]]

a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded 
lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and 
protect public health and safety.
  $150 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of the 
Interior to carry out restoration activities within the National Park 
System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management.
  $75 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of 
Agriculture to carry out restoration activities in National Forests.
  $25 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of the 
Interior to carry out a competitive grant program for Indian tribes to 
complete restoration activities on reservations.


   Title VI--Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Restoration, and 
                 Management Assistance -- $300 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund, entitled the 
Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund, to provide a mandatory $300 
million a year for the Department of Commerce to provide grants for the 
conservation, restoration and management of ocean fish and wildlife of 
the United States. The Fund would be allocated in two ways: (1) formula 
grants to States to develop and implement comprehensive state ocean 
fish and wildlife conservation plans, and (2) competitive grants to 
public and private persons to carry out projects for the conservation, 
restoration, or management of ocean fish and wildlife (Ocean 
Conservation Partnership grants).
  a. State Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans:
  In order for states to be eligible for funding under this title, 
States would have to develop a comprehensive ``Ocean Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Plan.'' The plan must be approved by the Secretary of 
Commerce. In order for the plan to be approved, the plan must provide 
for an inventory of the ocean fish and wildlife and their habitat; 
identification of any significant factors which may adversely affect 
ocean fish and wildlife species and their habitats; determination and 
implementation of conservation actions; monitoring of species and the 
effectiveness of conservation actions; periodic plan review and 
revision; and public input into plan development, revision and 
implementation. The State does not need to complete all of these 
activities for plan approval, it simply must have a plan in place that 
will show how the State proposes to meet the conservation objectives.
  Two-thirds ($200 million) of the total would be available to coastal 
states (including Great Lakes States, territories, and possessions of 
the U.S.) for the development, revision, and implementation of the 
``Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans.'' Funds would be 
allocated to the states by a formula. Two-thirds (about $133 million) 
would be distributed to states based on the ratio of the population of 
the state to the population of all coastal states. One-third (about $66 
million) would be distributed to states based on the ratio of the 
length of a state's shoreline to the length of the total shoreline of 
all coastal states. No state can receive less than \1/2\ of one percent 
or more than 10 percent of the total funds allocated under this 
section.
  b. Ocean Conservation Partnerships :
  The remaining one-third ($100 million) of funds would be awarded by 
the Secretary of Commerce as competitive, peer-reviewed grants for 
living marine resource conservation. High priority would be given to 
proposals involving public/private conservation partnerships, but any 
person would be eligible to apply for a grant under this provision. 
Priority would also be given to proposals that assist in achieving the 
objectives of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuaries, or other 
federal or state marine protected areas. A maximum grant size (2 
percent of funds available--about $2 million) will be established to 
ensure that a small number of large projects do not consume the bulk of 
the funding in a given fiscal year.


Title VII--Funding for State Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and 
                       Restoration--$350 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 provides a permanent appropriation 
of $350 for the conservation of native fish, wildlife and plants. It 
amends the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (FWCA, 16 U.S.C. 
2901 et seq.) to make funding available to the states for the 
development and implementation of comprehensive native wildlife 
conservation plans.
  This title is similar to the Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation, 
Restoration and Management title, except this is for terrestrial fish 
and wildlife conservation efforts. States that choose to participate in 
the program would submit Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans to the 
Secretary of the Interior for approval.
  Funds are to be allocated on a formula. One-third of the funds would 
be allocated based on the area of a state relative to the total area of 
all the states and two-thirds on the relative population of a state.
  States are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of the cost of 
developing and implementing state wildlife conservation plans. Federal 
funds are only available for plan development costs for the first 10 
years. As an additional incentive, federal funds will pay for up to 90 
percent of: plan development costs during the first three years; and 
conservation actions undertaken by two or more states. In addition, in 
the absence of an approved plan, the Secretary may reimburse a state 
for certain on-the-ground conservation actions during the first five 
years of the program.


  Title VIII--Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery--$100 million

  Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund, entitled the 
Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund, to provide a mandatory 
$100 million a year for the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service to implement a private landowners incentive 
program for the recovery of endangered and threatened species and the 
habitat that they depend on.
  Monies would be used by the Secretaries to enter into ``endangered 
and threatened species recovery agreements'' with private landowners, 
providing grants to: (1) carry out activities and protect habitat (not 
otherwise required by the law) that would contribute to the recovery of 
a threatened or endangered species, or (2) to refrain from carrying out 
otherwise lawful activities that would inhibit the recovery of such 
species. Priority will be given to small landowners who would otherwise 
not have the resources to participate in such programs.
  So it is time to act in a comprehensive way to permanently protect 
our heritage. It is time to heed the call that Teddy Roosevelt sent out 
so many years ago. It is time to build on the progress we have made and 
plan for the future.
  Resources 2000 enjoys the enthusiastic support of major 
environmental, historic preservation, sporting, wildlife, and parks 
organizations throughout the nation.
  I hope that my colleagues in the Senate take advantage of this 
historic opportunity by joining Senator Torricelli, Senator Kerry, and 
me in this effort to preserve America's heritage.
  I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill be printed in 
the Record. I also ask unanimous consent that a list of groups who 
support the legislation, as well as letters from several conservation 
organizations be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the materials were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       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 ``Resources 2000 Act''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Reduction in deposits of qualified OCS revenues for any fiscal 
              year for which those revenues are reduced.
Sec. 6. Limitation on use of available amounts for administration.
Sec. 7. Budgetary treatment of receipts and disbursements.

        TITLE I--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND REVITALIZATION

Sec. 101. Amendment of Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.
Sec. 102. Extension of period for covering amounts into fund.
Sec. 103. Availability of amounts.

[[Page S1812]]

Sec. 104. Allocation and use of fund.
Sec. 105. Expansion of State assistance purposes.
Sec. 106. Allocation of amounts available for State purposes.
Sec. 107. State planning.
Sec. 108. Assistance to States for other projects.
Sec. 109. Conversion of property to other use.

    TITLE II--URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

Sec. 201. Amendment of Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978.
Sec. 202. Purposes.
Sec. 203. Authority to develop new areas and facilities.
Sec. 204. Definitions.
Sec. 205. Eligibility.
Sec. 206. Grants.
Sec. 207. Recovery action programs.
Sec. 208. State action incentives.
Sec. 209. Conversion of recreation property.
Sec. 210. Availability of amounts.
Sec. 211. Repeal.

                 TITLE III--HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

Sec. 301. Availability of amounts.

  TITLE IV--FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION

Sec. 401. Purpose.
Sec. 402. Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection 
              Fund; availability of amounts.
Sec. 403. Authorized uses of Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and 
              Forestland Protection Fund.
Sec. 404. Farmland Protection Program.
Sec. 405. Ranchland Protection Program.

           TITLE V--FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND

Sec. 501. Purpose.
Sec. 502. Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund; availability of 
              amounts; allocation.
Sec. 503. Authorized uses of fund.
Sec. 504. Indian tribe defined.

   TITLE VI--LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND 
                         MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

Sec. 601. Purpose.
Sec. 602. Financial assistance to coastal States.
Sec. 603. Ocean conservation partnerships.
Sec. 604. Living Marine Resources Conservation Fund; availability of 
              amounts.
Sec. 605. Definitions.

TITLE VII--FUNDING FOR STATE NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND 
                              RESTORATION

Sec. 701. Amendments to findings and purposes.
Sec. 702. Definitions.
Sec. 703. Conservation plans.
Sec. 704. Conservation actions in absence of conservation plan.
Sec. 705. Amendments relating to reimbursement process.
Sec. 706. Establishment of Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and 
              Restoration Trust Fund; availability of amounts.

         TITLE VIII--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY

Sec. 801. Purposes.
Sec. 802. Endangered and threatened species recovery assistance.
Sec. 803. Endangered and threatened species recovery agreements.
Sec. 804. Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund; availability 
              of amounts.
Sec. 805. Definitions.

     SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) By establishing the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 
     1965, Congress determined that revenues generated by 
     extraction of nonrenewable oil and gas resources on the Outer 
     Continental Shelf should be dedicated to conservation and 
     preservation purposes.
       (2) The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been used for 
     over three decades to protect and enhance national parks, 
     national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other public 
     lands throughout the Nation. In past years, the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund has also provided States with vital 
     resources to assist with acquisition and development of local 
     park and outdoor recreation projects.
       (3) In 1978, the Congress amended the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund to authorize $900,000,000 of annual oil and 
     gas receipts to be used for Federal land acquisition and 
     State recreation projects. In recent years, however, the 
     Congress has failed to appropriate funds at the authorized 
     levels to meet Federal land acquisition needs, and has 
     entirely eliminated State recreation funding, leaving an 
     unallocated surplus of over $12,000,000,000 for fiscal year 
     1999.
       (4) To better meet land acquisition needs and address 
     growing public demands for outdoor recreation, the Congress 
     should assure that the Land and Water Conservation Fund is 
     used as it was intended to acquire conservation lands and, in 
     partnership with State and local governments, to provide for 
     improved parks and outdoor recreational opportunities.
       (5) The premise of using oil and gas receipts to meet 
     conservation and preservation objectives also underlies the 
     National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). 
     Revenues to the Historic Preservation Fund accumulate at a 
     rate of $150,000,000 annually, but because the Congress has 
     failed in recent years to appropriate the authorized amounts, 
     the fund has an unallocated surplus of over $2,000,000,000 
     for fiscal year 1999. To reduce the growing backlog of 
     preservation needs, the Congress should assure that the 
     Historic Preservation Fund is used as was intended.
       (6) Building upon the commitment to devote revenues from 
     existing offshore leases to resource protection through the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
     4) and the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 
     et seq.), the Congress should also dedicate revenues from 
     existing oil and gas leases to meet critical national, State, 
     and local preservation and conservation needs.
       (7) Suburban sprawl presents a growing threat to open space 
     and farmland in many areas of the Nation, with an estimated 
     loss of 7,000 acres of farmland and open space every day. 
     Financial resources and incentives are needed to promote the 
     protection of open space, farmland, ranchland, and forests.
       (8) National parks, national forests, national wildlife 
     refuges, and other public lands have significant unmet repair 
     and maintenance needs for trails, campgrounds, and other 
     existing recreational infrastructure, even as outdoor 
     recreation and user demands on these resources are 
     increasing.
       (9) Urban park and recreation needs have been neglected, 
     with resulting increases in crime and other inappropriate 
     activity, in part because the Congress has failed in recent 
     years to provide appropriations as authorized by the Urban 
     Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2501 et 
     seq.).
       (10) Although the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
     1531 et seq.) has prevented the extinction of many plants and 
     animals, the recovery of most species listed under that Act 
     has been hampered by a lack of financial resources and 
     incentives to encourage States and private landowners to 
     contribute to the recovery of protected species.
       (11) Native fish and wildlife populations have declined in 
     many parts of the Nation, and face growing threats from 
     habitat loss and invasive species. Financial resources and 
     incentives are needed for States to improve conservation and 
     management of native species.
       (12) Ocean and coastal ecosystems are increasingly degraded 
     by loss of habitat, pollution, over-fishing, and other 
     threats to the health and productivity of the marine 
     environment. Coastal States should be provided with financial 
     resources and incentives to better conserve, restore, and 
     manage living marine resources.
       (13) The findings of the 1995 National Biological Survey 
     study entitled ``Endangered Ecosystems of the United States: 
     A Preliminary Assessment of Loss and Degradation'', 
     demonstrate the need to escalate conservation measures that 
     protect our Nation's wildlands and habitats.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to expand upon the 
     promises of the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 (16 
     U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.) and the National Historic Preservation 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) by providing permanent funding 
     for the protection and enhancement of the Nations natural, 
     historic, and cultural resources by a variety of means, 
     including--
       (1) the acquisition of conservation lands;
       (2) improvement of State and urban parks;
       (3) preservation of open space, farmland, ranchland, and 
     forests;
       (4) conservation of native fish and wildlife;
       (5) recovery of endangered species; and
       (6) restoration of coastal and marine resources.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Coastline.--The term ``coastline'' has the same meaning 
     that term has in the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301 et 
     seq.).
       (2) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal State'' has the 
     meaning given the term ``coastal state'' in the Coastal Zone 
     Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
       (3) Leased tract.--The term ``leased tract'' means a tract, 
     leased under section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 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 or portions of blocks (or both), as 
     specified in the lease, and as depicted on an Outer 
     Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagram.
       (4) Qualified outer continental shelf revenues.--The term 
     ``qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues''--
       (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) means all moneys received by the United States from 
     each leased tract or portion of a leased tract located in the 
     Western or Central Gulf of Mexico, less such sums as may be 
     credited to States under section 8(g) of the Outer 
     Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g)) and amounts 
     needed for adjustments and refunds as overpayments for rents, 
     royalties, or other purposes; and
       (ii) includes 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 (43 
     U.S.C. 1331) for such a lease tract or portion; and
       (B) does not include any moneys received by the United 
     States under--

[[Page S1813]]

       (i) any lease issued on or after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act; or
       (ii) any lease under which no oil or gas production has 
     occurred before January 1, 1999.

     SEC. 5. REDUCTION IN DEPOSITS OF QUALIFIED OCS REVENUES FOR 
                   ANY FISCAL YEAR FOR WHICH THOSE REVENUES ARE 
                   REDUCED.

       (a) Reduction in Deposits.--The amount of qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues that is otherwise required to be 
     deposited for a limited fiscal year into the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, or any 
     other fund or account established by this Act (including the 
     amendments made by this Act) is hereby reduced, so that--
       (1) the ratio that the amount deposited (after the 
     reduction) bears to the amount that would otherwise be 
     deposited, is equal to
       (2) the ratio that the amount of qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf Revenues for the fiscal year bears to--
       (A) $2,050,000 for fiscal years 2000 and 2001;
       (B) $2,150,000 for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004; and
       (C) $2,300,000 for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.
       (b) No Reduction in Deposits of Interest.--Subsection (a) 
     shall not apply to deposits of interest earned from 
     investment of amounts in a fund or other account.
       (c) Limited Fiscal Year Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``limited fiscal year'' means a fiscal year in which the 
     total amount received by the United States as qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues is less than--
       (1) $2,050,000, for fiscal years 2000 and 2001;
       (2) $2,150,000, for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004; and
       (3) $2,300,000, for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.

     SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON USE OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS FOR 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of amounts made 
     available by this Act (including the amendments made by this 
     Act) for a particular activity, not more than 2 percent may 
     be used for administrative expenses of that activity.

     SEC. 7. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the receipts 
     and disbursements of funds under this Act and the amendments 
     made by this Act--
       (1) shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, 
     receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of--
       (A) the budget of the United States Government as submitted 
     by the President;
       (B) the congressional budget (including allocations of 
     budget authority and outlays provided therein); or
       (C) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
     of 1985; and
       (2) shall be exempt from any general budget limitation 
     imposed by statute on expenditures and net lending (budget 
     outlays) of the United States Government.

        TITLE I--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND REVITALIZATION

     SEC. 101. AMENDMENT OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND ACT 
                   OF 1965.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 
     of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.)

     SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR DEPOSITING AMOUNTS INTO 
                   FUND.

       Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 460l-5) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subsection (a) by striking 
     ``During the period ending September 30, 2015, there shall be 
     covered into'' and inserting ``There shall be deposited 
     into'';
       (2) in paragraph (c)(1) by striking ``through September 30, 
     2015''; and
       (3) in paragraph (c)(2)--
       (A) by striking ``shall be credited to the fund'' and all 
     that follows through ``as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)'' 
     and inserting ``shall be deposited into the fund, subject to 
     section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act, from amounts due and 
     payable to the United States as qualified Outer Continental 
     Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 4 of that 
     Act)''; and
       (B) in the proviso by striking ``covered'' and inserting 
     ``deposited''.

     SEC. 103. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       Section 3 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6) is amended by striking so much 
     as precedes the third sentence and inserting the following:


                            ``appropriations

       ``Sec. 3. (a) Of amounts in the fund, up to $900,000,000 
     shall be available each fiscal year for obligation or 
     expenditure without further appropriation, and shall remain 
     available until expended.
       ``(b) Moneys made available for obligation or expenditure 
     from the fund or from the special account established under 
     section 4(i)(1) may be obligated or expended only as provided 
     in this Act.
       ``(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in 
     the fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt 
     securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the fund, 
     as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, 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. Interest earned on such investments 
     shall be deposited into the fund.''.

     SEC. 104. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUND.

       Section 5 (16 U.S.C. 460l-7) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 5. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUNDS.

       ``(a) In General.--Of the amounts made available for each 
     fiscal year by this Act--
       ``(1) 50 percent shall be available for Federal purposes 
     (in this section referred to as the `Federal portion'); and
       ``(2) 50 percent shall be available for grants to States.
       ``(b) Use of Federal Portion.--The President shall, in the 
     annual budget submitted by the President for each fiscal 
     year, specify the purposes for which the Federal portion of 
     the fund is to be used by the Secretary of the Interior and 
     the Secretary of Agriculture. Such funds shall be used by the 
     Secretary concerned for the purposes specified by the 
     President in such budget submission unless the Congress, in 
     an Act making appropriations for the Department of the 
     Interior and related agencies for such fiscal year, specifies 
     that any part of such Federal portion shall be used by the 
     Secretary concerned for other Federal purposes as authorized 
     by this Act.
       ``(c) Federal Priority List.--(1) For purposes of the 
     budget submission of the President for each fiscal year, the 
     President shall require the Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to prepare Federal priority lists 
     for expenditure of the Federal portion.
       ``(2) The Secretaries shall prepare the lists in 
     consultation with the head of each affected bureau or agency, 
     taking into account the best professional judgment regarding 
     the land acquisition priorities and policies of each bureau 
     or agency.
       ``(3) In preparing the priority lists, the Secretaries 
     shall consider--
       ``(A) the potential adverse impacts which might result if a 
     particular acquisition is not undertaken;
       ``(B) the availability of land appraisal and other 
     information necessary to complete an acquisition in a timely 
     manner; and
       ``(C) such other factors as the Secretaries consider 
     appropriate.''.

     SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF STATE ASSISTANCE PURPOSES.

       Section 6(a) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended by striking 
     ``outdoor recreation:''.

     SEC. 106. ALLOCATION OF AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR STATE PURPOSES.

       Section 6(b) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(b) Distribution Among the States.--(1) Sums made 
     available from the fund each fiscal year for State purposes 
     shall be apportioned among the several States by the 
     Secretary, in accordance with this subsection. The 
     determination of the apportionment by the Secretary shall be 
     final.
       ``(2) Two-thirds of the sums made available from the fund 
     each fiscal year for State purposes shall be distributed by 
     the Secretary using criteria developed by the Secretary under 
     the following formula:
       ``(A) 30 percent shall be distributed equally among the 
     several States.
       ``(B) 70 percent shall be distributed on the basis of the 
     ratio which the population of each State bears to the total 
     population of all States.
       ``(3) One-third of the sums made available from the fund 
     each fiscal year for State purposes shall be distributed 
     among the several States by the Secretary under a competitive 
     grant program, subject to such criteria as the Secretary 
     determines necessary to further the purposes of the Act.
       ``(4) The total allocation to an individual State under 
     paragraphs (2) and (3) for a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 
     percent of the total amount allocated to the several States 
     under this subsection for that fiscal year.
       ``(5) The Secretary shall notify each State of its 
     apportionment, and the amounts thereof shall be available 
     thereafter to the State for planning, acquisition, or 
     development projects as hereafter described. Any amount of 
     any apportionment that has not been paid or obligated by the 
     Secretary during the fiscal year in which such notification 
     is given and the two fiscal years thereafter shall be 
     reapportioned by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph 
     (3), without regard to the 10 percent limitation to an 
     individual State specified in paragraph (4).
       ``(6)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(A)--
       ``(i) the District of Columbia shall be treated as a State; 
     and
       ``(ii) Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     and American Samoa--
       ``(I) shall be treated collectively as one State; and
       ``(II) shall each be allocated an equal share of any amount 
     distributed to them pursuant to clause (i).
       ``(B) Each of the areas referred to in subparagraph (A) 
     shall be treated as a State for all other purposes of this 
     Act.''.

     SEC. 107. STATE PLANNING.

       Section 6(d) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(d)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(d) State Plan.--(1)(A) A State plan shall be required 
     prior to the consideration by the Secretary of financial 
     assistance for acquisition or development projects. In order 
     to reduce costly repetitive planning efforts, a State may use 
     for such plan a current State comprehensive outdoor 
     recreation plan, a State recreation plan, or a State action 
     agenda under criteria developed by the Secretary if, in the 
     judgment of the Secretary,

[[Page S1814]]

     the plan used encompasses and promotes the purposes of this 
     Act. No plan shall be approved for a State unless the 
     Governor of the State certifies that ample opportunity for 
     public participation in development and revision of the plan 
     has been accorded. The Secretary shall develop, in 
     consultation with others, criteria for public participation, 
     and such criteria shall constitute the basis for 
     certification by the Governor.
       ``(B) The plan or agenda shall contain--
       ``(i) the name of the State agency that will have the 
     authority to represent and act for the State in dealing with 
     the Secretary for purposes of this Act;
       ``(ii) an evaluation of the demand for and supply of 
     outdoor conservation and recreation resources and facilities 
     in the State;
       ``(iii) a program for the implementation of the plan or 
     agenda; and
       ``(iv) such other necessary information as may be 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(C) The plan or agenda shall take into account relevant 
     Federal resources and programs and be correlated so far as 
     practicable with other State, regional, and local plans.
       ``(2) The Secretary may provide financial assistance to any 
     State for the preparation of a State plan under subsection 
     (d)(1) when such plan is not otherwise available or for the 
     maintenance of such a plan.''.

     SEC. 108. ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR OTHER PROJECTS.

       Section 6(e) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(e)) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)(1) by striking ``, but not including 
     incidental costs relating to acquisition''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)(2) by inserting before the period at 
     the end the following: ``or to enhance public safety.''.

     SEC. 109. CONVERSION OF PROPERTY TO OTHER USE.

       Section 6(f)(3) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(f)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``No property''; and
       (2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B)(i) The Secretary shall approve such conversion only 
     if the State demonstrates that no prudent or feasible 
     alternative exists.
       ``(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to property that is no 
     longer viable as an outdoor conservation or recreation 
     facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be 
     abandoned because of environmental contamination which 
     endangers public health and safety.
       ``(C)(i) The Secretary may not approve such conversion 
     unless the conversion satisfies any conditions the Secretary 
     considers necessary to assure the substitution of other 
     conservation and recreation properties of at least equal 
     market value and reasonable equivalent usefulness and 
     location and which are in accord with the existing State Plan 
     for conservation and recreation.
       ``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), wetland areas and 
     interests therein, as identified in a plan referred to in 
     that clause and proposed to be acquired as suitable 
     replacement property within the same State, that is otherwise 
     acceptable to the Secretary shall be considered to be of 
     reasonably equivalent usefulness with the property proposed 
     for conversion.''.

    TITLE II--URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

     SEC. 201. AMENDMENT OF URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY ACT 
                   OF 1978.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act 
     of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.).

     SEC. 202. PURPOSES.

       The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source 
     of funding to assist local governments in improving their 
     park and recreation systems.

     SEC. 203. AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP NEW AREAS AND FACILITIES.

       Section 1003 (16 U.S.C. 2502) is amended by inserting 
     ``development of new recreation areas and facilities, 
     including the acquisition of lands for such development,'' 
     after ``rehabilitation of critically needed recreation areas, 
     facilities,''.

     SEC. 204. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 1004 (16 U.S.C. 2503) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (j) by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (k) by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) `development grants'--
       ``(1) means matching capital grants to units of local 
     government to cover costs of development, land acquisition, 
     and construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation 
     sites, including indoor and outdoor recreational areas and 
     facilities, and support facilities; and
       ``(2) does not include landscaping, routine maintenance, 
     and upkeep activities;
       ``(m) `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 4 of the Resources 2000 
     Act; and
       ``(n) `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.''.

     SEC. 205. ELIGIBILITY.

       Section 1005(a) (16 U.S.C. 2504(a)) 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, eligible 
     general purpose local governments shall include the 
     following:
       ``(1) All political subdivisions of Metropolitan, Primary, 
     or Consolidated Statistical Areas, as determined by the most 
     recent Census.
       ``(2) Any other city or town within such a Metropolitan 
     Statistical Area, that has a total population of 50,000 or 
     more as determined by the most recent Census.
       ``(3) Any other county, parish, or township with a total 
     population of 250,000 or more as determined by the most 
     recent Census.''.

     SEC. 206. GRANTS.

       Section 1006 (16 U.S.C. 2505) is amended by striking so 
     much as precedes subsection (a)(3) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``Sec. 1006. (a)(1) The Secretary may provide 70 percent 
     matching grants for rehabilitation, development, and 
     innovation purposes to any eligible general purpose local 
     government upon approval by the Secretary of an application 
     submitted by the chief executive of such government.
       ``(2) At the discretion of such an applicant, a grant under 
     this section may be transferred in whole or part to 
     independent special purpose local governments, private 
     nonprofit agencies, or county or regional park authorities, 
     if--
       ``(A) such transfer is consistent with the approved 
     application for the grant; and
       ``(B) the applicant provides assurance to the Secretary 
     that the applicant will maintain public recreation 
     opportunities at assisted areas and facilities owned or 
     managed by the applicant in accordance with section 1010.
       ``(3) Payments may be made only for those rehabilitation, 
     development, or innovation projects that 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.''.

     SEC. 207. RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAMS.

       Section 1007(a) (16 U.S.C. 2506(a)) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) in the first sentence by inserting 
     ``development,'' after ``commitments to ongoing planning,''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (a)(2) by inserting ``development and'' 
     after ``adequate planning for''.

     SEC. 208. STATE ACTION INCENTIVES.

       Section 1008 (16 U.S.C. 2507) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
     sentence; and
       (2) by striking the last sentence of subsection (a) (as 
     designated by paragraph (1) of this section) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(b) Coordination With Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     Activities.--(1) The Secretary and general purpose local 
     governments are encouraged to coordinate preparation of 
     recovery action programs required by this title with State 
     plans required under section 6 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965, including by allowing 
     flexibility in preparation of recovery action programs so 
     they may be used to meet State and local qualifications for 
     local receipt of Land and Water Conservation Fund grants or 
     State grants for similar purposes or for other conservation 
     or recreation purposes.
       (2) The Secretary shall 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 State plans in accordance with 
     the public coordination and citizen consultation requirements 
     of subsection 6(d) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     Act of 1965.''.

     SEC. 209. CONVERSION OF RECREATION PROPERTY.

       Section 1010 (16 U.S.C. 2509) is amended to read as 
     follows:


                  ``conversion of recreation property

       ``Sec. 1010. (a)(1) No property developed, acquired, or 
     rehabilitated under this title shall, without the approval of 
     the Secretary, be converted to any purpose other than public 
     recreation purposes.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to--
       ``(A) property developed with amounts provided under this 
     title; and
       ``(B) the park, recreation, or conservation area of which 
     the property is a part.
       ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall approve such conversion only 
     if the grantee demonstrates no prudent or feasible 
     alternative exists.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to property that is no 
     longer a viable recreation facility due to changes in 
     demographics or that must be abandoned because of 
     environmental contamination which endangers public health or 
     safety.
       ``(c) Any conversion must satisfy any conditions the 
     Secretary considers necessary to assure substitution of other 
     recreation property that is--
       ``(1) of at least equal fair market value, or reasonably 
     equivalent usefulness and location; and
       ``(2) in accord with the current recreation recovery action 
     plan of the grantee.''.

     SEC. 210. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       Section 1013 (16 U.S.C. 2512) is amended to read as 
     follows:


                            ``appropriations

       ``Sec. 1013. (a) In General.--
       ``(1) Establishment of fund.--There is established in the 
     Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as 
     the `Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Fund' (in this 
     section referred to as the `Fund'). The Fund shall consist of 
     such amounts as

[[Page S1815]]

     are deposited into the Fund under this subsection. Amounts in 
     the fund shall only be used to carry out this title.
       ``(2) Deposits.--Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000 
     Act, from amounts received by the United States as qualified 
     Outer Continental Shelf revenues there shall be deposited 
     into the fund $100,000,000 each fiscal year.
       ``(3) Availability.--Of amounts in the fund, up to 
     $100,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year without 
     further appropriation, and shall remain available until 
     expended.
       ``(4) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to 
     expenditures in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, 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. 
     Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into 
     the Fund.
       ``(b) Limitations on Annual Grants.--Of amounts available 
     to the Secretary each fiscal year under this section--
       ``(1) not more that 3 percent may be used for grants for 
     the development of local park and recreation recovery action 
     programs pursuant to sections 1007(a) and 1007(c);
       ``(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for innovation 
     grants pursuant to section 1006; and
       ``(3) not more than 15 percent may be provided as grants 
     (in the aggregate) for projects in any one State.
       ``(c) Limitation on Use for Grant Administration.--The 
     Secretary shall establish a limit on the portion of any grant 
     under this title that may be used for grant and program 
     administration.''.

     SEC. 211. REPEAL.

       Section 1015 (16 U.S.C. 2514) is repealed.

                 TITLE III--HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

     SEC. 301. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       Section 108 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 
     U.S.C. 470h) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before the first sentence;
       (2) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1) of 
     this section) by striking ``There shall be covered into such 
     fund'' and all that follows through ``(43 U.S.C. 338),'' and 
     inserting ``Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act, 
     there shall be deposited into such fund $150,000,000 for each 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 1998 from revenues due and 
     payable to the United States as qualified Outer Continental 
     Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 4 of that 
     Act),''.
       (3) by striking the third sentence of subsection (a) (as so 
     designated) and all that follows through the end of the 
     subsection and inserting ``Such moneys shall be used only to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act.''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b)(1) Of amounts in the fund, up to $150,000,000 shall 
     be available each fiscal year after September 30, 1999, for 
     obligation or expenditure without further appropriation to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act, and shall remain 
     available until expended.
       ``(2) At least \1/2\ of the funds obligated or expended 
     each fiscal year under this section shall be used in 
     accordance with this Act for preservation projects on 
     historic properties. In making such funds available, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to the preservation of 
     endangered historic properties.
       ``(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in 
     the fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt 
     securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the fund, 
     as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, 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. Interest earned on such investments 
     shall be deposited into the fund.''.

  TITLE IV--FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION

     SEC. 401. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source 
     of funding to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary 
     of the Interior for programs to provide matching grants to 
     certain eligible entities to facilitate the purchase of 
     conservation easements on farmland, ranchland, open space, 
     and forestland in order to--
       (1) protect the ability of these lands to continue in 
     productive sustainable agricultural use; and
       (2) prevent the loss of their value to the public as open 
     space because of nonagricultural development.

     SEC. 402. FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND 
                   PROTECTION FUND; AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the 
     Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as 
     the ``Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland 
     Protection Fund'' (in this title referred to as the 
     ``Fund''). Subject to section 5 of this Act, there shall be 
     deposited into the Fund $150,000,000 of qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues received by the United States each 
     fiscal year.
       (b) Availability.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available 
     as provided in section 403, without further appropriation, 
     and shall remain available until expended.
       (c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to 
     expenditures in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, 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. 
     Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into 
     the Fund

     SEC. 403. AUTHORIZED USES OF FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, 
                   AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION FUND.

       (a) Farmland Protection Program.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the 
     Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection 
     Fund for the Farmland Protection Program established under 
     section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform 
     Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note), as 
     amended by section 404.
       (b) Ranchland Protection Program.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the Fund for 
     the Ranchland Protection Program established by section 405.
       (c) Forest Legacy Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the Fund for the 
     Forest Legacy Program established by section 7 of the 
     Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
     2103c).

     SEC. 404. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       (a) Expansion of Existing Program.--Section 388 of the 
     Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
     (Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 388. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Grants Authorized; Purpose.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall establish and carry out a program, to be 
     known as the `Farmland Protection Program', under which the 
     Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities described 
     in subsection (c) to provide the Federal share of the cost of 
     purchasing permanent conservation easements in land with 
     prime, unique, or other productive soil for the purpose of 
     protecting the continued use of the land as farmland or open 
     space by limiting nonagricultural uses of the land.
       ``(b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     purchasing a conservation easement described in subsection 
     (a) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing 
     the easement.
       ``(c) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `eligible entity' means--
       (1) an agency of a State or local government;
       (2) a federally recognized Indian tribe; or
       (3) any organization that is organized for, and at all 
     times since its formation has been operated principally for, 
     one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause 
     (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and--
       (A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Code;
       (B) is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
     Code; and
       (C) is described in paragraph (2) of section 509(a) of the 
     Code, or paragraph (3) of such section, but is controlled by 
     an organization described in paragraph (2) of such section.
       ``(d) Title; Enforcement.--Any eligible entity may hold 
     title to a conservation easement described in subsection (a) 
     and enforce the conservation requirements of the easement.
       ``(e) State Certification.--As a condition of the receipt 
     by an eligible entity of a grant under subsection (a), the 
     attorney general of the State in which the conservation 
     easement is to be purchased using the grant funds shall 
     certify that the conservation easement to be purchased is in 
     a form that is sufficient, under the laws of the State, to 
     achieve the conservation purpose of the Farmland Protection 
     Program and the terms and conditions of the grant.
       ``(f) Conservation Plan.--Any land for which a conservation 
     easement is purchased under this section shall be subject to 
     the requirements of a conservation plan to the extent that 
     the plan does not negate or adversely affect the restrictions 
     contained in the easement.
       ``(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     may not use more than 10 percent of the amount that is made 
     available for any fiscal year under this program to provide 
     technical assistance to carry out this section.''.
       (b) Effect on Existing Easements.--The amendment made by 
     subsection (a) shall not affect the validity or terms of 
     conservation easements and other interests in lands purchased 
     under section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
     Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note) 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 405. RANCHLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       (a) Grants Authorized; Purpose.--The Secretary of Interior 
     shall establish and carry out a program, to be known as the 
     ``Ranchland Protection Program'', under which the Secretary 
     shall provide grants to eligible entities described in 
     subsection (c) to provide the Federal share of the cost of 
     purchasing permanent conservation easements on ranchland, 
     which is in danger of conversion to nonagricultural uses, for 
     the purpose of protecting the continued use of the land as 
     ranchland or open space.

[[Page S1816]]

       (b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     purchasing a conservation easement described in subsection 
     (a) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing 
     the easement.
       (c) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``eligible entity'' means--
       (1) an agency of a State or local government;
       (2) a federally recognized Indian tribe; or
       (3) any organization that is organized for, and at all 
     times since its formation has been operated principally for, 
     one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause 
     (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and--
       (A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Code;
       (B) is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
     Code; and
       (C) is described in paragraph (2) of section 509(a) of the 
     Code, or paragraph (3) of such section, but is controlled by 
     an organization described in paragraph (2) of such section.
       (d) Title; Enforcement.--Any eligible entity may hold title 
     to a conservation easement described in subsection (a) and 
     enforce the conservation requirements of the easement.
       (e) State Certification.--As a condition of the receipt by 
     an eligible entity of a grant under subsection (a), the 
     attorney general of the State in which the conservation 
     easement is to be purchased using the grant funds shall 
     certify that the conservation easement to be purchased is in 
     a form that is sufficient, under the laws of the State, to 
     achieve the conservation purpose of the Ranchland Protection 
     Program and the terms and conditions of the grant.
       (f) Conservation Plan.--Any land for which a conservation 
     easement is purchased under this section shall be subject to 
     the requirements of a conservation plan to the extent that 
     the plan does not negate or adversely affect the restrictions 
     contained in the easement.
       (g) Ranchland Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``ranchland'' means private or tribally owned rangeland, 
     pastureland, grazed forest land, and hay land.
       (h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     may not use more than 10 percent of the amount that is made 
     available for any fiscal year under this program to provide 
     technical assistance to carry out this section.

           TITLE V--FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND

     SEC. 501. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source 
     of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian 
     lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are 
     threatened with degradation, and protect public health and 
     safety.

     SEC. 502. FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND; 
                   AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS; ALLOCATION.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the 
     Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as 
     the ``Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund''. Subject to 
     section 5 of this Act, there shall be deposited into the fund 
     $250,000,000 of qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues 
     received by the United States each fiscal year. Amounts in 
     the fund shall only be used to carry out the purpose of this 
     title.
       (b) Availability.--Of amounts in the fund, up to 
     $250,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year without 
     further appropriation, and shall remain available until 
     expended.
       (c) Allocation.--Amounts made available under this section 
     shall be allocated as follows:
       (1) Department of the interior.--60 percent shall be 
     available to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the 
     purpose of this title on lands within the National Park 
     System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands 
     administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
       (2) Department of agriculture.--30 percent shall be 
     available to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the 
     purpose of this title on lands within the National Forest 
     System.
       (3) Indian tribes.--10 percent shall be available to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified 
     Indian tribes under section 503(b).
       (d) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall invest moneys in the fund that are excess to 
     expenditures in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the fund, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, 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. 
     Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into 
     the fund.

     SEC. 503. AUTHORIZED USES OF FUND.

       (a) In General.--Funds made available pursuant to this 
     title shall be used solely for restoration of degraded lands, 
     resource protection, maintenance activities related to 
     resource protection, or protection of public health or 
     safety.
       (b) Competitive Grants to Indian Tribes.--
       (1) Grant authority.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     administer a competitive grant program for Indian tribes, 
     using such criteria as may be developed by the Secretary to 
     achieve the purpose of this title.
       (2) Limitation.--The amount received for a fiscal year by a 
     single Indian tribe in the form of grants under this 
     subsection may not exceed 10 percent of the total amount 
     provided to all Indian tribes for that fiscal year in the 
     form of such grants.
       (c) Priority List.--The Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall each establish priority lists 
     for the use of funds available under this title. Each list 
     shall give priority to projects based upon the protection of 
     significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to 
     resources, and the protection of public health or safety.
       (d) Compliance With Applicable Plans.--Any project carried 
     out on Federal lands with amounts provided under this title 
     shall be carried out in accordance with all management plans 
     that apply under Federal law to the lands.
       (e) Tracking Results.--Not later than the end of the first 
     full fiscal year for which funds are available under this 
     title, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall jointly establish a coordinated program 
     for--
       (1) tracking the progress of activities carried out with 
     amounts made available by this title; and
       (2) determining the extent to which demonstrable results 
     are being achieved by those activities.

     SEC. 504. INDIAN TRIBE DEFINED.

       In this title, the term ``Indian tribe'' means an Indian or 
     Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or 
     community that the Secretary of the Interior recognizes as an 
     Indian tribe under section 104 of the Federally Recognized 
     Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a-1).

   TITLE VI--LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND 
                         MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 601. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source 
     of funding for a coordinated program to--
       (1) preserve biological diversity and natural assemblages 
     of living marine resources, and their habitat; and
       (2) provide financial assistance to the coastal States, 
     private citizens, and nongovernmental entities for the 
     conservation, restoration, and management of living marine 
     resources and their habitat.

     SEC. 602. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COASTAL STATES.

       (a) Authorization of Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may use amounts allocated to 
     an eligible coastal State under subsection (b) to reimburse 
     the State for costs described in paragraph (3) that are 
     incurred by the State.
       (2) Eligible coastal states.--A coastal State shall be an 
     eligible coastal State under paragraph (1) if--
       (A) the State has an Living Marine Resources Conservation 
     Plan that is approved under subsection (d); or
       (B) the Secretary determines that the State is making 
     sufficient progress toward completion of such a plan.
       (3) Costs eligible for reimbursement.--The costs referred 
     to in paragraph (1) are the following:
       (A) The costs of developing an Living Marine Resources 
     Conservation Plan pursuant to subsection (d), as follows:
       (i) Not to exceed 90 of such costs incurred in each of the 
     first three fiscal years that begin after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (ii) Not to exceed 75 percent of such costs incurred in 
     each of the fourth and fifth fiscal years that begin after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (iii) Not to exceed 75 percent of such costs incurred in 
     the sixth or seventh year that begins after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act (or both), upon a showing by the State 
     of a need for that assistance for that year and a finding by 
     the Secretary that the plan is likely to be completed within 
     that 2-fiscal-year period.
       (B) Not to exceed 75 percent of the costs of implementing 
     and revising an approved conservation plan.
       (C) Not to exceed 90 percent of implementing conservation 
     actions under an approved conservation plan that are 
     undertaken--
       (i) in cooperation with one or more other coastal States; 
     or
       (ii) in coordination with Federal actions for the 
     conservation, restoration, or management of living marine 
     resources.-
       (4) Emergency funding.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary may reimburse a coastal State for 100 percent of 
     the cost of conservation actions on a showing of need by the 
     State and if those actions--
       (A) are substantial in character and design;
       (B) meet such of the requirements of subsection (d) as may 
     be appropriate; and
       (C) are considered by the Secretary to be necessary to 
     fulfill the purpose of this title.
       (5) In-kind contributions; limitation on included costs.--
     (A) In computing the costs incurred by any State during any 
     fiscal year for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4), the 
     Secretary, subject to subparagraph (B), shall take into 
     account, in addition to each outlay by the State, the value 
     of in-kind contributions (including real and personal 
     property and services) received and applied by the State 
     during the year for activities for which the costs are 
     computed.
       (B) In computing the costs incurred by any State during any 
     fiscal year for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4)--
       (i) the Secretary shall not include costs paid by the State 
     using Federal moneys received and applied by the State, 
     directly or indirectly, for the activities for which the 
     costs are computed; and

[[Page S1817]]

       (ii) the Secretary shall not include in-kind contributions 
     in excess of 50 percent of the amount of reimbursement paid 
     to the State under this subsection for the fiscal year.
       (C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), in-kind contributions 
     may be in the form of, but are not required to be limited to, 
     personal services rendered by volunteers in carrying out 
     surveys, censuses, and other scientific studies regarding 
     living marine resources. The Secretary shall by regulation 
     establish--
       (i) the training, experience, and other qualifications 
     which such volunteers must have in order for their services 
     to be considered as in-kind contributions; and
       (ii) the standards under which the Secretary will determine 
     the value of in-kind contributions and real and personal 
     property for purposes of subparagraph (A).
       (D) Any valuation determination made by the Secretary for 
     purposes of this paragraph shall be final and conclusive.
       (b) Allocation of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall allocate among all 
     coastal States the funds available each fiscal year under 
     section 604(b), as follows:
       (A) A portion equal to \2/3\ of the funds shall be 
     allocated by allocating to each coastal State an amount that 
     bears the same ratio to that portion as the coastal 
     population of the State bears to the total coastal population 
     of all coastal States.
       (B) A portion equal to \1/3\ of the funds shall be 
     allocated by allocating to each coastal State an amount that 
     bears the same ratio to that portion as the shoreline miles 
     of the State bears to the shoreline miles of all coastal 
     States.
       (2) Minimum and maximum allocations.--Notwithstanding 
     paragraph (1), the total amount allocated to a coastal State 
     under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for a fiscal 
     year shall be not less than \1/2\ of one percent, and not 
     more than 10 percent, of the total amount of funds available 
     under section 604(b) for the fiscal year.
       (c) Availability of Funds to States.--
       (1) In general.--Amounts allocated to a coastal State under 
     this section for a fiscal year shall be available for 
     expenditure by the State in accordance with this section 
     without further appropriation, and shall remain available for 
     expenditure for the subsequent fiscal year.
       (2) Reversion.--(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     amounts allocated under subsection (b)(1) to a coastal State 
     for a fiscal year that are not expended before the end of the 
     subsequent fiscal year shall, upon the expiration of the 
     subsequent fiscal year, revert to the Fund and remain 
     available for reallocation under subsection (b).
       (B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to amounts that are 
     otherwise subject to reallocation under this paragraph if the 
     Secretary certifies in writing that the purposes of this 
     title would be better served if the amounts remained 
     available for use by the coastal State.
       (C) Amounts that remain available to a coastal State 
     pursuant to a certification under subparagraph (B) may remain 
     available for a period specified by the Secretary in the 
     certification, which shall not exceed 2 fiscal years.
       (d) Approval of Coastal State Living Marine Resources 
     Conservation Plans.--
       (1) Submission.--A coastal State that seeks financial 
     assistance under this section shall submit to the Secretary, 
     in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulation 
     prescribe, an application that contains a proposed Living 
     Marine Resources Conservation Plan.
       (2) Review and approval.--As soon as is practicable, but no 
     later than 180 days, after the date on which a coastal State 
     submits (or resubmits in the case of a prior disapproval) an 
     application for the approval of a proposed Living Marine 
     Resources Conservation Plan, the Secretary shall--
       (A) approve the plan, if the Secretary determines that the 
     plan--
       (i) fulfills the purpose of this title;
       (ii) is substantial in character and design; and
       (iii) meets the requirements set forth in subsection (e); 
     or
       (B) if the proposed plan does not meet the criteria set 
     forth in subparagraph (A), disapprove the conservation plan 
     and provide the coastal State--
       (i) a written statement of the reasons for disapproval;
       (ii) an opportunity to consult with the Secretary regarding 
     deficiencies in the plan and the modifications required for 
     approval; and
       (iii) an opportunity to revise and resubmit the plan.
       (e) Living Marine Resources Conservation Plans.--The 
     Secretary may not approve an Living Marine Resources 
     Conservation Plan proposed by a coastal State unless the 
     Secretary determines that the plan--
       (1) promotes balanced and diverse assemblages of living 
     marine resources;
       (2) provides for the vesting in a designated State agency 
     the overall responsibility for the development and revision 
     of the plan;
       (3) provides for an inventory of the living marine 
     resources that are within the waters of the State and are of 
     value to the public for ecological, economic, cultural, 
     recreational, scientific, educational, and esthetic benefits;
       (4) with respect to species inventoried under paragraph (3) 
     (in this subsection referred to as ``plan species''), 
     provides for--
       (A) determination of the size, range, and distribution of 
     their populations; and
       (B) identification of the extent, condition, and location 
     of their habitats;
       (5) provides for identification of any significant factors 
     which may adversely affect the plan species and their 
     habitats;
       (6) provides for determination and implementation of the 
     actions that should be taken to conserve, restore, and manage 
     the plan species and their habitats;
       (7) provides for establishment of priorities for 
     implementing conservation actions determined under paragraph 
     (6);
       (8) provides for the monitoring, on a regular basis, of the 
     plan species and the effectiveness of the conservation 
     actions determined under paragraph (6);
       (9) provides for review and, if appropriate, revision of 
     the plan, at intervals of not more than 3 years;
       (10) ensures that the public is given opportunity to make 
     its views known and considered during the development, 
     revision, and implementation of the plan;
       (11) identifies and establishes mechanisms for coordinating 
     conservation, restoration, and management actions under the 
     plan with appropriate Federal and interstate bodies with 
     responsibility for living marine resources management and 
     conservation; and
       (12) provides for consultation by the State agency 
     designated under paragraph (2), as appropriate, with Federal 
     and State agencies, interstate bodies, nongovernmental 
     entities, and the private sector during the development, 
     revision, and implementation of the plan, in order to 
     minimize duplication of effort and to ensure that the best 
     information is available to all parties.

     SEC. 603. OCEAN CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may use amounts available 
     under section 604(b) to make grants for the conservation, 
     restoration, or management of living marine resources.
       (b) Eligibility and Application.--Any person may apply to 
     the Secretary for a grant under this section, in such manner 
     as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe.
       (c) Review Process.--Not later than 6 months after 
     receiving an application for a grant under this section, the 
     Secretary shall--
       (1) request written comments on the project proposal 
     contained in the application from each State or territory of 
     the United States, and from each Regional Fishery Management 
     Council established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
     Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), 
     having jurisdiction over any area in which the project is 
     proposed to be carried out;
       (2) provide for the merit-based peer review of the project 
     proposal and require standardized documentation of that peer 
     review;
       (3) after reviewing any written comments and 
     recommendations received under subsection (c)(1), and based 
     on such comments and recommendations and peer review, approve 
     or disapprove the proposal; and
       (4) provide written notification of that approval or 
     disapproval to the applicant.
       (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a 
     proposal for a grant under this section only if the Secretary 
     determines that the proposed project--
       (1) fulfills the purposes of this title;
       (2) is substantial in character and design; and
       (3) provide for the long-term conservation, restoration, or 
     management of living marine resources.
       (e) Priority Consideration.--In approving and disapproving 
     proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give 
     priority to funding proposed projects that, in addition to 
     satisfying the criteria of subsection (d), will--
       (1) establish or enhance existing cooperation and 
     coordination between the public and private sectors;
       (2) assist in achieving the objectives of a National 
     Estuary, National Marine Sanctuary, National Estuarine 
     Research, Reserve, or other marine protected area established 
     under Federal or State law; or
       (3) assist in the conservation and enhancement of essential 
     fish habitat pursuant to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation 
     and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
       (f) Limitation on Amount of Grants.--The amount provided to 
     a private person in a fiscal year in the form of a grant 
     under this section may not exceed 2 percent of the total 
     amount available for the fiscal year for such grants.
       (g) Terms and Conditions of Grants.--The Secretary shall 
     require that each grantee under this section shall conform 
     with such record-keeping requirements, reporting 
     requirements, and other terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     shall by regulation prescribe.

     SEC. 604. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION FUND; 
                   AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--
       (1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a fund which shall be known as the ``Living 
     Marine Resources Conservation Fund''.
       (2) Contents.--The Fund shall consist of--
       (A) amounts deposited into the Fund under this section; and
       (B) amounts that revert to the Fund under section 
     602(c)(2).
       (3) Deposit of ocs revenues.--Subject to section 5 of this 
     Act, from amounts received by the United States as qualified 
     Outer Continental Shelf revenues each fiscal year, there 
     shall be deposited into the Fund the following:
       (A) For each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $100,000,000.
       (B) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004, 
     $200,000,000.

[[Page S1818]]

       (C) For each of fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, $300,000,000.
       (b) Availability of Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--Of amounts in the Fund, up to the amount 
     stated for a fiscal year in paragraph (3) shall be available 
     to the Secretary for that fiscal year without further 
     appropriation to carry out this title, and shall remain 
     available until expended.
       (2) Use.--Of the amounts expended under this subsection for 
     a fiscal year--
       (A) \2/3\ shall be used by the Secretary for providing 
     financial assistance to coastal States under section 602; and
       (B) \1/3\ shall used by the Secretary for grants under 
     section 603.
       (c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to 
     expenditures in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, 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. 
     Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into 
     the Fund.

     SEC. 605. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Coastal population.--The term ``coastal population'' 
     means the population of all 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 Coastal Zone Management Act 
     of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
       (2) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Living Marine 
     Resources Conservation Fund established by section 604.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Commerce.
       (4) Living marine resources.--The term ``living marine 
     resources'' means indigenous fin fish, anadromous fish, 
     mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal 
     and plant life, including marine mammals and birds, that 
     inhabit marine or brackish waters of the United States during 
     all or part of their life cycle.

TITLE VII--FUNDING FOR STATE NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND 
                              RESTORATION

     SEC. 701. AMENDMENTS TO FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Section 2(a) of the Fish and Wildlife 
     Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2901(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``Native fish and wildlife'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``fish and wildlife, particularly nongame 
     fish and wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and wildlife, 
     particularly nongame species''; and
       (B) by striking ``maintaining fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``maintaining biological diversity'';
       (3) in paragraph (3) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
       (4) in paragraph (4) by striking ``nongame fish and 
     wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and wildlife''; and
       (5) in paragraph (5) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and 
     all that follows through the end of the sentence and 
     inserting ``native fish and wildlife.''.
       (b) Purposes.--Section 2(b) of the Fish and Wildlife 
     Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2901(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively, and inserting before paragraph (2) 
     (as so redesignated) the following:
       ``(1) to preserve biological diversity by maintaining 
     natural assemblages of native fish and wildlife;''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated, by inserting after 
     ``States'' the following: ``(and through the States to local 
     governments where appropriate)''.

     SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 
     (16 U.S.C. 2902) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and inserting 
     ``native fish and wildlife''; and
       (B) by striking ``development'' and inserting ``and 
     restoration'';
       (3) in paragraph (4) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
       (4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
       ``(5) The term `native fish and wildlife'--
       ``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), means a fish, animal, or 
     plant species that--
       ``(i) historically occurred or currently occurs in an 
     ecosystem, other than as a result of an introduction; and
       ``(ii) lives in an unconfined state; and
       ``(B) does not include any population of a domesticated 
     species that has reverted to a feral existence.

     Any determination by the Secretary that a species is or is 
     not a species of native fish and wildlife for purposes of 
     this Act shall be final.'';
       (5) by striking paragraph (6) and redesignating paragraphs 
     (7) and (8) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) The term `Native Wildlife Fund' means the Native Fish 
     and Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Fund established by 
     section 11.
       ``(9) The term `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Resources 
     2000 Act.''.

     SEC. 703. CONSERVATION PLANS.

       Section 4 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 
     (16 U.S.C. 2903) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (10) in order 
     as paragraphs (2) through (11);
       (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) promote balanced and diverse assemblages of native 
     fish and wildlife;'';
       (3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``nongame'' and all that follows through ``appropriate,'' and 
     inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
       (4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``(2)'' and inserting ``(3)'';
       (5) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``problems'' and inserting ``factors''; and
       (6) in paragraphs (7) and (8) (as so redesignated) by 
     striking ``(5)'' and inserting ``(6)''.

     SEC. 704. CONSERVATION ACTIONS IN ABSENCE OF CONSERVATION 
                   PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Fish and Wildlife 
     Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2904) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading by striking ``nongame'';
       (2) by striking subsection (c), and redesignating 
     subsection (d) as subsection (c); and
       (3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``nongame';
       (B) striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' and inserting 
     ``native fish and wildlife''; and
       (C) striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
     paragraph (1), striking the period at the end of paragraph 
     (2) and inserting ``; and'', and adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(3) are consistent with the purposes of this Act.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 6 of the Fish and 
     Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2905) is amended 
     by striking ``section 5(c) and (d)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``section 5(c)''.

     SEC. 705. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS.

       Section 6 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 
     (16 U.S.C. 2905) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading by striking ``NONGAME'';
       (2) in subsection (a)(3) by striking ``nongame fish and 
     wildlife'';
       (3) in subsection (d) by striking ``appropriated'' and 
     inserting ``available'';
       (4) in subsection (e)(2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``1991'' and inserting 
     ``2010'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``1986'' and inserting ``2005'';
       (ii) by striking ``section 5(d)'' and inserting ``section 
     5(c)'';
       (iii) by striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' and 
     inserting ``conservation''; and
       (iv) by adding ``or'' after the semicolon;
       (C) by striking subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E);
       (D) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (C);
       (E) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``nongame fish and wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and 
     wildlife''; and
       (F) in subparagraph (C)(ii) (as so redesignated) by 
     striking ``10 percent'' and inserting ``50 percent'';
       (5) in subsection (e)(3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``1982, 1983, and 
     1984'' and inserting ``2001, 2002, and 2003'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``nongame fish and 
     wildlife''; and
       (C) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
       ``(D) after September 30, 2010, may not exceed 75 percent 
     of the cost of implementing and revising the plan during the 
     fiscal year.''; and
       (6) in subsection (e)(4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``nongame fish and 
     wildlife''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' 
     and inserting ``native fish and wildlife''.

     SEC. 706. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE 
                   CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION TRUST FUND; 
                   AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--Section 11 of the Fish and 
     Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2910) is amended 
     to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 11. NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND 
                   RESTORATION FUND.

       ``(a) Establishment of Fund.--(1) There is established in 
     the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known 
     as the `Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Restoration 
     Fund'. The Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund shall 
     consist of amounts deposited into the Fund under this 
     subsection.
       ``(2) Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act, from 
     amounts received by the United States as qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues each fiscal year, there shall be 
     deposited into the Fund the following amounts:
       ``(A) For each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $100,000,000.

[[Page S1819]]

       ``(B) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004, 
     $200,000,000.
       ``(C) For fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
     $350,000,000.
       ``(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in 
     the Fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt 
     securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the Fund, 
     as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, 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. Interest earned on such investments 
     shall be deposited into the Fund.
       ``(b) Availability for Reimbursement to States.--Of amounts 
     in the Native Wildlife Fund--
       ``(1) up to the amount stated in subsection (a)(2) for a 
     fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for that fiscal year, without further appropriation, 
     to reimburse States under section 6 in accordance with the 
     terms and conditions that apply under sections 7 and 8; and
       ``(2) shall remain available until expended.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8 of the Fish and 
     Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2907) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``appropriated'' and 
     inserting ``available''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
     ``appropriated'' and inserting ``available''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``8 percent'' and inserting ``2 percent''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``the purposes for which so appropriated'' 
     and inserting ``the purposes for which the amount is 
     available''.

         TITLE VIII--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY

     SEC. 801. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this title are the following:
       (1) To provide a dedicated source of funding to the Fish 
     and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries 
     Service for the purpose of implementing an incentives program 
     to promote the recovery of endangered species and threatened 
     species and the habitat upon which they depend.
       (2) To promote greater involvement by non-Federal entities 
     in the recovery of the Nation's endangered species and 
     threatened species and the habitat upon which they depend.

     SEC. 802. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts in 
     the Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund 
     established by section 804 to provide financial assistance to 
     any person for development and implementation of Endangered 
     and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into by 
     the Secretary under section 804.
       (b) Priority.--In providing assistance under this section, 
     the Secretary shall give priority to the development and 
     implementation of recovery agreements that--
       (1) implement actions identified under recovery plans 
     approved by the Secretary under section 4(f) of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f));
       (2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the 
     recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and
       (3) to the extent practicable, require use of the 
     assistance--
       (A) on land owned by a small landowner; or
       (B) on a family farm by the owner or operator of the family 
     farm.
       (c) Prohibition on Assistance for Required Activities.--The 
     Secretary may not provide financial assistance under this 
     section for any action that is required by a permit issued 
     under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.) or that is otherwise required under that Act or any 
     other Federal law.
       (d) Payments Under Other Programs.--
       (1) Other payments not affected.--Financial assistance 
     provided to a person under this section shall be in addition 
     to, and shall not affect, the total amount of payments that 
     the person is otherwise eligible to receive under the 
     conservation reserve program established under subchapter B 
     of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.), the wetlands reserve 
     program established under subchapter C of that chapter (16 
     U.S.C. 3837 et seq.), or the Wildlife Habitat Incentives 
     Program established under section 387 of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 
     3836a).
       (2) Limitation.--A person may not receive financial 
     assistance under this section to carry out activities under a 
     species recovery agreement in addition to payments under the 
     programs referred to in paragraph (1) made for the same 
     activities if the terms of the species recovery agreement do 
     not require financial or management obligations by the person 
     in addition to any such obligations of the person under such 
     programs.

     SEC. 803. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY 
                   AGREEMENTS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into Endangered 
     and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements for purposes of 
     this title in accordance with this section.
       (b) Required Terms.--The Secretary shall include in each 
     species recovery agreement provisions that--
       (1) require the person--
       (A) to carry out on real property owned or leased by the 
     person activities not otherwise required by law that 
     contribute to the recovery of an endangered or threatened 
     species;
       (B) to refrain from carrying out on real property owned or 
     leased by the person otherwise lawful activities that would 
     inhibit the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; 
     or
       (C) to do any combination of subparagraphs (A) and (B);
       (2) describe the real property referred to in paragraph 
     (1)(A) and (B) (as applicable);
       (3) specify species recovery goals for the agreement, and 
     measures for attaining such goals;
       (4) require the person to make measurable progress each 
     year in achieving those goals, including a schedule for 
     implementation of the agreement;
       (5) specify actions to be taken by the Secretary or the 
     person (or both) to monitor the effectiveness of the 
     agreement in attaining those recovery goals;
       (6) require the person to notify the Secretary if--
       (A) any right or obligation of the person under the 
     agreement is assigned to any other person; or
       (B) any term of the agreement is breached by the person or 
     any other person to whom is assigned a right or obligation of 
     the person under the agreement;
       (7) specify the date on which the agreement takes effect 
     and the period of time during which the agreement shall 
     remain in effect;
       (8) provide that the agreement shall not be in effect on 
     and after any date on which the Secretary publishes a 
     certification by the Secretary that the person has not 
     complied the agreement; and
       (9) allocate financial assistance provided under this title 
     for implementation of the agreement, on an annual or other 
     basis during the period the agreement is in effect based on 
     the schedule for implementation required under paragraph (4).
       (c) Review and Approval of Proposed Agreements.--Upon 
     submission by any person of a proposed species recovery 
     agreement under this section, the Secretary--
       (1) shall review the proposed agreement and determine 
     whether it complies with the requirements of this section and 
     will contribute to the recovery of endangered or threatened 
     species that are the subject of the proposed agreement;
       (2) propose to the person any additional provisions 
     necessary for the agreement to comply with this section; and
       (3) if the Secretary determines that the agreement complies 
     with the requirements of this section, shall approve and 
     enter with the person into the agreement.
       (d) Monitoring Implementation of Agreements.--The Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) periodically monitor the implementation of each species 
     recovery agreement entered into by the Secretary under this 
     section; and
       (2) based on the information obtained from that monitoring, 
     annually or otherwise disburse financial assistance under 
     this title to implement the agreement as the Secretary 
     determines is appropriate under the terms of the agreement.

     SEC. 804. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY FUND; 
                   AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a fund that shall be known as the 
     ``Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund''. The Fund 
     shall consist of such amounts as are deposited into the Fund 
     under this section.
       (2) Deposits.--Subject to section 5 of this Act, from 
     amounts received by the United States as qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues there shall be deposited into the 
     Fund $100,000,000 each fiscal year.
       (b) Availability.--Of amounts in the Fund up to 
     $100,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary each fiscal 
     year, without further appropriation, for providing financial 
     assistance under section 802, and shall remain available 
     until expended.
       (c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to 
     expenditures in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, 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. 
     Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into 
     the Fund.

     SEC. 805. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Endangered or threatened species.--The term 
     ``endangered or threatened species'' means any species that 
     is listed as an endangered species or threatened species 
     under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1533).
       (2) Family farm.--The term ``family farm'' means a farm 
     that--
       (A) produces agricultural commodities for sale in such 
     quantities so as to be recognized in the community as a farm 
     and not as a rural residence;
       (B) produces enough income, including off-farm employment, 
     to pay family and farm operating expenses, pay debts, and 
     maintain the property;
       (C) is managed by the operator;
       (D) has a substantial amount of labor provided by the 
     operator and the operator's family; and

[[Page S1820]]

       (E) uses seasonal labor only during peak periods, and uses 
     no more than a reasonable amount of full-time hired labor.
       (3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Endangered and 
     Threatened Species Recovery Fund established by section 804.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, in accordance 
     with section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1532).
       (5) Small landowner.--The term ``small landowner'' means an 
     individual who owns 50 acres or fewer of land.
       (6) Species recovery agreement.--The term ``species 
     recovery agreement'' means an Endangered and Threatened 
     Species Recovery Agreement entered into by the Secretary 
     under section 803.
                                  ____


                Organizations Supporting Resources 2000

       America Oceans Campaign.
       Bay Area Open Space Council.
       Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.
       Bay Institute.
       California Police Activities League.
       Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust.
       Defenders of Wildlife.
       Earth Island Institute.
       East Bay Regional Park District.
       Environmental Defense Fund.
       Friends of the Earth.
       Friends of the River.
       Golden Gate Audubon Society.
       Greater Vallejo Recreation District.
       Izaak Walton League.
       Land Trust Alliance.
       Marin Conservation League.
       Martinez Regional Land Trust.
       National Conference of State Historic Preservation 
     Officers.
       National Audubon Society.
       National Environmental Trust.
       National Parks and Conservation Association.
       National Association of Police Athletic Leagues.
       National Wildlife Federation.
       Natural Resources Defense Council.
       Physicians for Social Responsibility.
       Preservation Action.
       Save San Francisco Bay Association.
       Save the Redwoods.
       Scenic America.
       Sierra Club.
       Society for American Archaeology.
       Trust for Public Land.
       U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
       Wilderness Society.

             Excerpts of Letters Supporting Resources 2000

       ``America's Resources 2000 would significantly help our 
     lands, oceans and creatures in the next millennium. 
     Representative Miller and Senator Boxer have listened to the 
     demand of the American people and are pushing for critical, 
     much-needed funding for the environment.''--Brent 
     Blackwelder, President, Friends of the Earth.
       ``Congress ought to lay down the law: federal lands must be 
     kept safe, even added to, instead as a national yard sale for 
     wealthy corporations to raid for cheap resources. The 
     Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000 bill sends 
     that message loud and clear.''--Philip E. Clapp, President, 
     National Environmental Trust.
       ``The Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust applauds your 
     initiatives to provide protection for American resources . . 
     . We strongly support your legislation.''--Jerry Ashland, 
     President, Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust.
       ``The Bay Area Open Space Council thanks you for your bold 
     leadership in introducing the Permanent Protection for 
     America's Resources 2000 legislation.''--John Woodbury, 
     Program Director, Bay Area Open Space Council.
       ``Millions of acres within our national parks are still 
     privately owned and not protected because the federal 
     government has failed to acquire the lands America wants 
     preserved. Resources 2000 will provide the funding, not only 
     this year, but in years to come, to secure these treasured 
     places for the ages.''--Tom Kiernan, President, National 
     Parks and Conservation Association.
       ``Your Resources 2000 offers the hope that permanent, 
     annual funding will be secured for resource preservation 
     goals.''--Susan West Montgomery, President, Preservation 
     Action.
       ``Implementation of Permanent Protection for America's 
     Resources 2000 would be a dream come true for 
     conservationists and truly usher in a new millennium for 
     wildlife.''--Rodger Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of 
     Wildlife.
       ``We have been advocating for the use of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Funds for land acquisition for several years, 
     and we are very glad to see that this is one of the key 
     elements in this proposed legislation.''--Jerry Edelbrock, 
     Executive Director, Marin Conservation League.
                                  ____


    Citizen Groups Call Land and Water Protection a Top Legislative 
                                Priority

       A broad range of citizen organizations today expressed 
     support for the principles of the Permanent Protection for 
     America's Resources 2000 initiative to be introduced this 
     week by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-
     CA). The initiative provides guaranteed annual funding for 
     conservation from the Land & Water Conservation Fund and 
     other long-sought measures to protect America's public lands, 
     wildlife, and historical resources. Selected comments by 
     environmental leaders follow.
       ``Implementation of Permanent Protection for America's 
     Resources 2000 would be a dream come true for 
     conservationists and truly usher in a new millennium for 
     wildlife. This far-sighted legislation is Defenders of 
     Wildlife's top legislative priority because it provides long-
     needed permanent protection for the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund as well as funding for endangered species 
     recovery, restoration of public lands, ocean fish and 
     wildlife, and native wildlife and plant programs.''--Rodger 
     Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of Wildlife.
       ``Sen. Boxer and Rep. Miller have outlined an inspired 
     vision for protecting and restoring the irreplaceable 
     elements of our heritage for the future. This bill shows that 
     we can find ways to protect all our resources, including the 
     ocean and its creatures, without the danger of incentives for 
     unnecessary offshore oil drilling. We applaud their effort 
     and look forward to working with them to ensure the vitality 
     of our ocean and coastal resources for our children.''--David 
     Younkman, Executive Director, American Oceans Campaign.
       ``Citizens in communities all across the country voted last 
     fall for over a hundred ballot and bond initiatives to 
     protect America's special places. Now it's time for our 
     lawmakers to catch up with the American people. The Congress 
     should act quickly to pass this popular bill.''--Carl Pope, 
     Executive Director, Sierra Club.
       ``Millions of acres within our national parks are still 
     privately owned and not protected because the federal 
     government has failed to acquire the lands America wants 
     preserved. Resources 2000 will provide the funding, not only 
     this year, but in years to come, to secure these treasured 
     places for the ages.''--Tom Kiernan, President, National 
     Parks & Conservation Association.
       ``Resources 2000 is a bold, comprehensive approach to 
     conservation. The legislation directs money where it is 
     desperately needed: to purchase land for bird and wildlife 
     habitat, to help endangered species recover, and to fight 
     sprawl. Congressman Miller and Senator Boxer are to be 
     commended for charting the course of conservation for the 
     next century. By providing permanent protection, our children 
     will be able to enjoy the splendors of our land and 
     wildlife.''--Dan Beard, Vice President for Public Policy, 
     National Audubon Society.
       ``The National Wildlife Federation's top priority for this 
     Congress is passage of significant long-term funding for 
     wildlife and wild places for both federal and state programs. 
     This proposal helps set the parameters to achieve a 
     bipartisan victory for conservation funding this year.''--
     Mark Van Putten, President & CEO, National Wildlife 
     Federation.
       ``Now that we have successfully moved past the Cold War and 
     large budget deficits, it is essential that we Americans 
     invest in the stewardship of our natural resources and the 
     sustainability of our environment for the benefit of our 
     children and their children. Permanent Protection for 
     America's Resources 2000 is a bold initiative to protect our 
     precious natural and cultural heritage and the quality of 
     life for all Americans. As we approach the millennium we must 
     pass this program as our generation's legacy for the 
     future.''--John Adams, President, Natural Resources Defense 
     Council.
       Resources 2000 provides long-overdue funding for bipartisan 
     conservation initiatives which will help Americans protect 
     natural beauty, the character of their communities, and their 
     heritage as we move into the new millennium.''--Meg Maguire, 
     Executive Director/President, Scenic America.
       ``A healthy ecosystem is the bedrock of a healthy society. 
     The Miller/Boxer bills will help to preserve the biodiversity 
     we need for the development of new medicines and vaccines, 
     and safeguard the parks and recreation areas so vital to 
     human health and well-being. PSR is pleased to add its voice 
     to the chorus of support for this important legislation.''--
     Robert K. Musil, Ph.D., Executive Director, Physicians for 
     Social Responsibility.
       ``We applaud Rep. Miller and Sen. Boxer for their effort to 
     reinvigorate chronically underfunded land acquisition 
     programs and provide much-needed funds to protect urban areas 
     and open spaces and conserve fish and wildlife. Resources 
     2000 will provide a substantial down payment in the effort to 
     preserve and protect our natural heritage while protecting 
     our coastal areas from increased offshore drilling.''--Gene 
     Karpinski, Executive Director, U.S. PIRG.
       ``America's Resources 2000 would significantly help our 
     lands, oceans, and creatures in the next millennium. Rep. 
     Miller and Sen. Boxer have listened to the demand of the 
     American people and are pushing for critical, much-needed 
     funding for the environment.''--Brent Blackwelder, President, 
     Friends of the Earth.
       ``It is vital that Congress adequately fund the programs 
     that care for the public's lands, whether in parks, national 
     forests, wildlife preserves, or historic sites. Without 
     adequate funding, federal stewardship of the public's lands 
     will fall further and further behind, and America's natural 
     heritage will be lost to future generations. Congress ought 
     to lay down the law: federal lands must be kept safe, even 
     added to, instead of treated as a national yard sale for 
     wealthy corporations to raid for cheap resources. The 
     Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000 bill sends 
     that message loud and clear.''--Philip E. Clapp, President, 
     National Environmental Trust.

[[Page S1821]]

       ``We welcome Rep. George Miller's proposal that joins with 
     the Administration's initiative and the previously introduced 
     Senate and House bills, calling for full funding for the Land 
     and Water Conservation Fund and much-needed support for fish 
     and wildlife to state agencies. We are especially encouraged 
     by the expressed commitment of all parties to work 
     cooperatively on these proposals with all those who have a 
     stake in the nation's natural resources to craft a landmark 
     conservation bill in this Congress.''--Paul Hansen, Executive 
     Director, Izaak Walton League of America.
                                  ____



                                                  Sierra Club,

                                Washington, DC, February 19, 1999.
       Dear Senator: Please support Permanent Protection for 
     America's Resources.
       On behalf of the more than half million members of the 
     Sierra Club, I am writing to encourage you to support full 
     and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation 
     Fund this year. There are a number of positive initiatives 
     underway that will increase this critical land acquisition 
     fund, as well as support numerous other land protection 
     programs such as farmland preservation and fish, wildlife and 
     land restoration programs.
       In particular, I urge you to become an original cosponsor 
     of a new bill to be introduced shortly by Senator Barbara 
     Boxer (D-CA). The Permanent Protection for America's 
     Resources 2000 Act builds upon the Clinton Administration's 
     proposed new Land Legacy initiative by providing a secure 
     source of funding for natural resource protection programs.
       Senator Boxer's bill provides full and permanent annual 
     funding of the LWCF, funding for local governments and States 
     for conservation and recreation purposes, special funding for 
     coastal states to conserve and restore marine resources; and 
     farmland and open space preservation incentives.
       Senator Boxer's bill stands in contrast to S. 25, a bill 
     recently introduced by Senators Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and 
     Mary Landrieu (D-LA). The Murkowski/Landrieu bill shares the 
     goal of funding important natural resource protection and 
     wildlife programs, but unfortunately does this at the expense 
     of our coastal environment. We are strongly opposed to this 
     bill in its current form because it would encourage increased 
     oil drilling by providing financial incentives to states 
     based in part on the amount of drilling off their coasts.
       Thre has been some confusion about the relationship of S. 
     25 to Teaming with Wildlife, a legislative proposal that 
     received significant support last year. The Sierra Club 
     supported the Teaming with Wildlife proposal, which also 
     generated funding for wildlife programs. However, we are 
     actively opposed to the Murkowski/Landrieu bill due to the 
     drilling incentives in this bill.
       Please consider becoming an original cosponsor of Senator 
     Boxer's bill. We also urge you not to cosponsor S. 25 unless 
     the drilling incentives are completely removed from the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                               Melanie L. Griffin,
     Director, Land Protection Programs.
                                  ____



                                         Friends of the River,

                                Sacramento, CA, February 19, 1999.
     Resupport for Resources 2000.

     Hon. Barbara Boxer,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: As California's leading river 
     conservation group, we would like to add our name to the list 
     of those supporting the Resources 2000 legislation that you 
     and Congressman Miller have authored.
       Your effort to provide substantial and permanent funding 
     for the improvement acquisition and maintenance of natural 
     resource areas throughout the country is critical for 
     preserving fisheries, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation 
     opportunities. Here in California, it will clearly benefit 
     our state's wonderful rivers and watersheds.
       We greatly appreciate your leadership in trying to find and 
     direct the monies necessary to support the Land and Water 
     Conservation funds at the State and federal levels, urban 
     parks and recreation, endangered species recovery programs, 
     historic preservation, fishery restoration, and the like.
       On behalf of Friends of the River's 8,000 members, we thank 
     you for your good work and pledge to help see it through to 
     success.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Betsy Reifsnider,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____

         National Parks and Conservation Association Pacific 
           Regional Office,
                                   Oakland, CA, February 12, 1999.
     Hon. Barbara Boxer,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: On behalf of the National Parks and 
     Conservation Association (NPCA), I would like to thank you 
     for your leadership as you strive to achieve a fully funded 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund. The ``Permanent Protection 
     for America's Resources 2000'' legislation, which you will be 
     introducing with Congressman George Miller, represents a bold 
     step in resolving the long standing gap between the list of 
     lands identified as critical for the protection of our 
     nation's natural and cultural heritage and the funds 
     necessary to acquire and restore them. NPCA strongly endorses 
     the bill.
       Since its inception, the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     has often been the court of last resort for sensitive lands 
     threatened by development. However, due to competing demands 
     for these revenues generated by offshore oil profits, the 
     Fund has never been allowed to fulfill its mandate. As such, 
     our national parks remain incomplete, native habitat for fish 
     and wildlife has been fragmented, and opportunities to 
     recover endangered species have been lost. With the number of 
     threats to our nation's heritage growing exponentially, it is 
     clearly time to renew our commitment to a permanent, fully 
     funded Land and Water Conservation Fund.
       NPCA looks forward to working with you and Congressman 
     Miller in passing this important legislation. Thank you 
     again.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Brian Huse,
     Regional Director.
                                  ____



                             Society for American Archaeology,

                                Washington, DC, February 19, 1999.
     Hon. Barbara Boxer,
     United States Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: The Society for American Archaeology 
     enthusiastically supports the ``Permanent Protection for 
     America's Resources 2000'' legislation that you will be 
     introducing with Congressman George Miller. SAA believes this 
     legislation is a comprehensive approach to insure long-term 
     protection of not only natural resources, but archaeological 
     and historic sites as well.
       SAA applauds your joint efforts to fully fund the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, and 
     other programs that have long suffered from diminished 
     financial support from the Congress. SAA is particularly 
     enthusiastic about the proposed annual funding for programs 
     fundable through the Historic Preservation Fund at $150 
     million, including grants to the states and National Park 
     Service.
       Enactment of this legislation will offer a comprehensive 
     set of tools to help protect the cultural and natural 
     environment in the future, and fulfills the Congressional 
     intent of earlier laws, which mandated that income from 
     offshore oil leases be directed towards the preservation of 
     our country's rich and diverse cultural and natural 
     heritages.
       SAA looks forward to working with you and your staff in 
     support of this legislation, and, ultimately, to securing its 
     passage.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Vin Steponaitis,
     President.
                                  ____



                                           Preservation Action

                                Washington, DC, February 12, 1999.
     Hon. Barbara Boxer,
     Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: Preservation Action offers its support 
     of your Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000 
     legislation. For too long, the portion of the revenue from 
     offshore oil resources meant for natural and historic 
     resource protection has gone unappropriated. Your Resources 
     2000 legislation offers the hope that permanent, annual 
     funding will be secured for resource preservation goals.
       In particular, Preservation Action supports Resources 2000 
     because it includes consideration for the Historic 
     Preservation Fund (HPF). Established in 1977 and authorized 
     at $150 million dollars annually since 1980, the HPF over the 
     last twenty years has never received more than about one-
     third its annual authorized amount. Indeed, near level 
     funding for most of the 1990s meant that appropriations were 
     not even keeping pace with cost of living increases. Your 
     bill will not only direct much-needed dollars to HPF's core 
     programs--tax credit certification, Section 106 review, 
     National Register survey work and nominations, and technical 
     assistance--but ensures that the fund can meet preservation 
     needs at all levels.
       Preservation Action is a national grassroots organization 
     dedicated to advocating the goals of the historic 
     preservation community. Since 1974, Preservation Action has 
     worked to see historic preservation used to protect America's 
     past--its neighborhoods, landmarks, and architectural 
     treasures--and build healthier communities. The best way to 
     preserve and protect our historic resources is to keep them 
     viable for today. Resources 2000, including its consideration 
     of the HPF, is an important step towards this goal.
           Sincerely,
                                            Susan West Montgomery,
     President.
                                  ____

         National Conference of State Historic Preservation 
           Officers,
                                Washington, DC, February 16, 1999.
     Re: Historic Preservation Fund.
     Hon Barbara Boxer,
     United States Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: On behalf of the State Historic 
     Preservation Officers, thank you for including the Historic 
     Preservation Fund in your legislation ``Permanent Protection 
     for America's Resources 2000,'' to be introduced with 
     Congressman George Miller.
       Congress was extremely far-sighted two decades ago when it 
     created the Land and Water Conservation and Historic 
     Preservation Funds. The idea of dedicating a portion of the 
     revenues generated by depleting non renewable resources to 
     the conservation of irreplaceable natural and cultural 
     resources is as powerful now as it was then. The fact that so 
     little of the offshore oil revenues have been going for their 
     intended purposes has been very frustrating to those trying 
     to preserve the nation's heritage.
       The National Historic Preservation Act programs, 
     administered by partners in State,

[[Page S1822]]

     local and tribal governments, provide the infrastructure for 
     every community to identify and protect significant 
     landmarks, to create incentives for reinvesting in existing 
     settled areas as opposed to abandonment and ``sprawl,'' and 
     to encourage sustainable industries such as heritage tourism. 
     These programs are an essential complement to greater 
     assistance for federal properties in order to achieve a truly 
     comprehensive program for America's heritage.
       The National Conference of State Historic Preservation 
     Officers thanks you for your leadership on this issue and 
     looks forward to working with you and your staff in support 
     of this legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Eric Hertfelder,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____



              National Association of Police Athletic Leagues,

                          North Palm Beach, FL, February 19, 1999.
     Hon. Barbara Boxer,
     United States Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Boxer: I am writing on behalf of the National 
     Association of Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) to support your 
     legislation to provide permanent funding for high priority 
     resource preservation objectives through the Permanent 
     Protection for America's Resources 2000.
       National PAL believes that participation in outdoor 
     recreation provides important physical, mental, and social 
     benefits to young people. Continued growth in demand for 
     outdoor recreation opportunities has brought overcrowding to 
     some areas, while budgetary constraints, environmental 
     pollution, and open space availability to other uses has 
     further added to the challenges we face. To effectively meet 
     this challenge, federal recreation efforts must receive 
     permanent federal commitment to support public land 
     acquisition and improvements, fish and wildlife programs, 
     urban recreation and historic preservation, and farmland and 
     open space.
       We share in your vision of safe, clean, planned, and well-
     maintained recreation areas, available to all Americans. It 
     is essential that funding of state and local recreation areas 
     increase to meet demand. These areas in particular bear the 
     brunt of recreational use but have not seen the increases in 
     funding necessary to support the growth, rehabilitation, 
     development, acquisition and improvements of recreation land. 
     The Resources 2000 initiative addresses the need to target 
     funds and restore our national commitment to the protection 
     and preservation of our public resources.
       PAL Police Officers and volunteers work with young people 
     and depend on public lands to provide diverse and high 
     quality opportunities for recreation. Your concern for 
     America's Resources and passage of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund legislation will guarantee that our PAL 
     kids and future generations of Americans will be assured of 
     our precious natural resources.
       We are proud to join you and Congressman George Miller in 
     advocating support for Resources 2000. If I may be of any 
     assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at 561-844-
     1823.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Joe Wilson,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____



                                  Bay Area Open Space Council,

                                                February 18, 1999.
     Hon. George Miller,
     United States House of Representatives, District Office, 
         Concord, CA.
       RE: PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR AMERICA'S RESOURCES 2000
       Congressman Miller: The Bay Area Open Space Council thanks 
     you for your bold leadership in introducing the Permanent 
     Protection for America's Resources 2000 legislation. We would 
     like to express our strongest support.
       The legislation proposes a comprehensive and thoughtful 
     approach for effectively addressing national resource 
     conservation needs.
       Utilizing offshore oil lease revenues for resource 
     conservation is reasonable, practical, and consistent with 
     the original intent and commitment of Congress in 
     establishing the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
       This legislation is urgently needed. Our rapidly growing 
     population is placing unprecedented pressure on a wide range 
     of irreplaceable resources. The balanced package of programs 
     in your legislation will enable our economy to grow, and our 
     communities to prosper, by providing funding for the 
     protection of many of the resources which underpin our 
     economy and quality of life.
       The Bay Area Open Space Council is a cooperative effort of 
     approximately 40 land conservation organizations and agencies 
     with responsibilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. We 
     applaud your leadership in proposing Permanent Protection For 
     America's Resources 2000, and commit to doing all we can to 
     assist.
           Sincerely,
                                                    John Woodbury,
                                                 Program Director.
                                 ______