[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          EARMARK DECLARATION

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                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2009

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican 
Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following 
information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996--
Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Kevin Brady, Texas 8th Congressional 
District
  Bill Number: H.R. 2996--Interior, Environment and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010
  Project: Big Thicket National Preserve
  Account: National Park Service, Land Acquisition
  Requesting Entity: The Conservation Fund, Texas Office
  Address of Requesting Entity: 101 W 6th Street, Suite 601, Austin, TX
  The Big Thicket National Preserve is one of America's ecological 
treasures. It is an unusually shaped preserve whose boundaries include 
land once owned by major timber companies. This request enables the 
National Park Service to acquire critical land within the 
congressionally authorized boundary of the Big Thicket National 
Preserve to diversify the economic potential of southeast Texas through 
increased tourism opportunities. This project works only with 
voluntary, ``willing-seller'' landowners.
  The $5,000,000 included in this bill for this project combined with 
previous funding will allow the National Park Service to purchase over 
2500 acres of land on 23 tracts acquired from willing sellers or by 
voluntary donation. When funded in full, this request represents the 
final year in a seven-year land acquisition program.

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