[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF PUERTO RICO KARST CONSERVATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ANIBAL ACEVEDO-VILA

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced the Puerto Rico 
Karst Conservation Act of 2003. This bipartisan legislation is a common 
sense legislative approach that will protect a vital ecosystem in 
Puerto Rico, the Karst Region. The region is comprised of a unique 
geological and hydrological system of limestone caves, sinkholes and 
underground rivers, collectively known as karst, and is widely valued 
to the livelihood of Puerto Rico.
  The Karst Region of Puerto Rico, located along the North and 
Northwest coasts of the Island, has many outstanding features. This 
region is home to the largest remaining tropical rainforests in Puerto 
Rico, and has a greater density of tree species than anywhere else on 
the Island. These forests provide habitat to a wide array of plants and 
animals, too many of which are endangered or threatened. In fact, the 
Karst Region has been identified as a secondary habitat for the 
restoration of the Puerto Rican parrot, a bird that is among the ten 
most endangered birds in the world, and the existence of which has 
plummeted to only 24 birds in the wild.
  In addition to the extraordinary flora and fauna of the Karst Region, 
the water and watersheds are the most unique feature of the Karst 
Region. While rivers and streams are widespread throughout Puerto Rico, 
the vast majority of the water in the Karst Region flows underground. 
Where this water flows out of the ground, from springs and along the 
coast, it provides fresh water to nearly one-quarter of the Puerto Rico 
population. In addition, specific manufacturing and industrial sectors, 
such as the pharmaceutical industry, rely on the Karst Region's supply 
of clean water for their business. Without a doubt, the Karst Region 
sustains a large percentage of wildlife, human life, and the economy of 
Puerto Rico.
  Yet Puerto Rico has among the highest population densities of any 
jurisdiction in the United States. Large, undeveloped tracts of land 
are becoming increasingly less common on the Island. However, the Karst 
Region has remained rural in nature, and has not been beset by the 
development and growth of the rest of Puerto Rico. The hills and unique 
geology of the Karst Region have forestalled similar population growth. 
Unfortunately, threats to the Karst Region are growing. Continued 
population growth will create increasing pressure on the conservation 
of this important region. Development of roads, resorts and other 
infrastructure in the region would fragment wildlife habitat, reduce 
water quality, and would reduce the preserved nature of the Karst 
Region for the rest of time.
  But the Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act will help conserve the 
lands and waters of the Karst Region, and stave off the threats of 
development. This bill, I believe, is an ideal piece of preservation 
policy. It places the responsibility of conservation and management not 
with any single entity, but requires that lands in the Karst Region be 
acquired and managed in a cooperative fashion.
  Using funds collected in a fund established on the books of the U.S. 
Treasury, the Karst Fund, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will 
distribute grants to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, conservation 
organizations and others for the purpose of acquiring and managing 
lands for conservation in the Karst Region. Acquired lands, purchased 
only from willing sellers, may only be managed for conservation, and 
the bill includes provisions that will protect those lands from 
development. Resources in the Karst Fund are derived from the existing 
programs of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Forest Legacy 
Program, from receipts generated from the Caribbean National Forest and 
GSA sale of property in Puerto Rico, from donations, direct 
appropriations, and from interest derived in the Fund. While the U.S. 
Forest Service is authorized to acquire lands, authority that in fact 
exists in current law, the agency focus will be on technical assistance 
and management guidance rather than actual land acquisition.
  It is my belief that this bill is the most appropriate manner of 
approaching the conservation needs of the Karst. The Federal Government 
can bring important resources and experience to the table, yet the land 
will be primarily acquired and managed by local entities, who are best 
able to relate to, understand, and advocate for the conservation of the 
lands of the Karst Region.
  I am proud and honored by the support that this bill has gained from 
my colleagues. Congressman Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee has joined me, 
along with six of my distinguished Democratic colleagues, to introduce 
this bill in the House, and I greatly appreciate their support. In 
addition, Senator Tom Harkin and Senator Richard Lugar, recognizing the 
vital importance of protecting the Karst Region, have introduced 
companion legislation in Senate. Their support is essential to the 
eventual success of this bill, and I appreciate their leadership on 
this issue.
  Protecting the Karst Region of Puerto Rico is a large and important 
task. However, this legislation that I have introduced today will 
enable resources to be brought to the protection and conservation of 
the lands and water of the Karst Region. As many regions in the United 
States are now suffering due to a lack of water resources, affording 
this protection to the Karst Region will help ensure water quality and 
availability into the future. The cooperative nature of this 
conservation effort will, in my mind, enable it to succeed, and through 
this unique partnership, the magnificent and unique Karst Region will 
be preserved for this, and future generations of Puerto Rico.

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