[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REPORT FILING FOR H.R. 701

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today, I filed the bill report for 
H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999. This bill 
represented an agreement fashioned after five days of Resource 
Committee hearings and months of Member negotiations. On November 10, 
1999, the Resources Committee ordered this historic measure out of 
Committee by a bipartisan vote of 37-12.
  This legislation is the most comprehensive conservation and 
recreation legislation the Congress has considered in decades and 
provides permanent funding for valuable conservation and recreational 
opportunities that will benefit the lives of all Americans.
  Title I provides $1 billion each year to create a revenue sharing and 
coastal conservation fund for coastal states and eligible local 
governments to mitigate the various impacts of OCS activities and 
provide funds for the conservation of coastal ecosystems. Several 
provisions ensure that the valuable funding provided by this title does 
not prove to be an incentive for additional oil and gas drilling, 
especially in areas subject to pre-leasing, leasing, or development 
moratorium. The intent of this legislation is to provide for 
conservation and recreational opportunities, and the authors and 
supporters deliver on that pledge.
  Title II provides $900 million to guarantee stable and annual funding 
for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at its authorized 
level. This dedicated funding would provide for both the state and 
federal programs included in the LWCF, while protecting the rights of 
private property owners. Even with the protections won during our 
negotiations, some feel this bill does not adequately address property 
rights. While not eliminating land acquisition nor the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund, H.R. 701 creates a Federal land acquisition process 
and provides safeguards to private land owners that dramatically 
improve the status quo.
  Title III provides $350 million for wildlife conservation and 
education. This title, crafted by Congressman Dingell and myself, uses 
the successful mechanism within the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration 
Act (commonly known as Pittman-Robertson). The new source of funding 
will nearly double the historic contribution made by sportsmen through 
Federal funds available by Pittman-Robertson and the Federal Aid in 
Sportfish Restoration Act (commonly known as Dingell-Johnson). Since 
1937, these programs have contributed more than $5 billion, matched by 
the states, to benefit wildlife and fish.
  Title IV provides $125 million to be used for matching grants for 
local governments to rehabilitate recreation areas and facilities, and 
provide for the development of improved recreation programs, sites and 
facilities.
  Title V provides $100 million for the programs within the Historic 
Preservation Act, including grants to the States, maintaining the 
National Register of Historic Places, and administering numerous 
historic preservation programs, including support for Congressionally 
authorized Heritage areas and corridors.
  Title VI provides $200 million 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.
  Title VII provides $150 million for annual and dedicated funding for 
conservation easements and funding for landowner incentives to aid in 
the recovery of endangered and threatened species.
  Since oil and gas royalty payments are not deposited into the federal 
Treasury as an end-of-year lump sum, revenue held within the ``CARA 
Fund'' accrues interest. Up to $200 million of this annual interest 
will match, dollar for dollar, the amount appropriated during the 
annual Congressional Appropriations process for the Payment In-Lieu of 
Taxes and Refuge Revenue Sharing programs. This provision is intended 
to fully fund these two programs.
  Because of the breath of this measure, H.R. 701 enjoys the support of 
294 Members of Congress. These supporters range from the most southern 
areas of Florida to my most Northern home of Alaska. Countless 
governors, county commissioners, and mayors have rallied around this 
initiative. I hope that the Congressional Leadership joins with us to 
pass this historic bill into Law this year.

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