[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 118 (Thursday, September 28, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, a letter from the National Governors' 
Association on September 27th to the majority leader of the Senate 
expresses the National Governors' Association's views that any final 
version of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) legislation 
include stable funding and a strong commitment to the states by 
reinvesting Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) mineral revenues into assets 
of lasting value and sharing a meaningful portion of these revenues 
with states and territories. In addition, the letter points out that 
the essential strengths of CARA are that it assures a dependable stream 
of funding which enables states to implement long-term capital 
investments and to develop cost-effective fiscal strategies.
  I ask unanimous consent to print the letter in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                              National Governors' Association,

                               Washington, DC, September 27, 2000.
     Hon. Trent Lott,
     Senate Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lott: The nation's Governors support 
     legislation that both wisely reinvests Outer Continental 
     Shelf (OCS) mineral revenues into assets of lasting value and 
     shares a meaningful portion of these revenues with states and 
     territories. We have previously endorsed H.R. 701, the 
     Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), but recognize that 
     alternatives are being considered. We urge that any final 
     legislation allocating OCS revenues include stable funding 
     and a strong commitment to the states.
       As new proposals are floated, we hope that you will 
     remember the essential strengths of CARA. CARA assures a 
     dependable stream of funding. This enables states to 
     implement long-term capital investments and to develop cost-
     effective fiscal strategies. Being subjected to the annual 
     appropriations process will not provide the stability 
     necessary for states to take advantage of low-interest bonds, 
     enter into voluntary conservation agreements with private 
     landowners, and invest in long-term programs to recover 
     declining species. A one-year appropriation to state programs 
     simply will not address concerns.
       CARA also focuses on conserving and preserving both federal 
     and state assets. Parks, estuaries, wildlife, and historical 
     properties are not limited to federal lands. A meaningful 
     share of the Outer Continental Shelf revenues should be 
     shared with the states and territories so that investments in 
     the conservation of America can occur in a comprehensive 
     manner. This hallmark of CARA is the investment of resources 
     and the empowerment of states to set their own priorities, 
     particularly as they respond to federal mandates and fulfill 
     state environmental goals. These fundamental elements must be 
     incorporated into any final legislation.
       As you know, Representative Norman D. Dicks (D-Wash.) 
     recently proposed a ``Lands Legacy Trust'' fund amendment to 
     the fiscal 2001 Interior appropriations conference report. 
     Many Governors perceive the Dicks amendment as a departure 
     from the principles of CARA. The Dicks amendment does not 
     guarantee an increase in net funding or guarantee full 
     funding for conservation programs.
       The reported CARA compromise reached by congressional 
     leaders on September 26th is an approach that more closely 
     resembles the principles of CARA. This proposal has the 
     support of the National Governors' Association (NGA) and 
     should be strongly considered as a viable option as 
     negotiations proceed.
       On behalf of NGA, we urge that any final legislation 
     allocating OCS revenues address the concerns we have raised. 
     We appreciate your efforts to conserve the nation's most 
     valuable resources by creating a lasting and comprehensive 
     legacy for the American people and future generations.
           Sincerely,
     Governor Thomas J. Wilsack,
                            Chair, Committee on Natural Resources.
     Governor Frank Keating,
     Vice Chair, Committee on Natural Resources.

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