[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 29944]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             THE CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 1999

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to join the Senator from 
Louisiana in calling upon our colleagues in the Senate, as well as the 
Administration, to capitalize on the momentum provided by the House 
Resources Committee last week in passing the Conservation and 
Reinvestment Act of 1999. We must not let this opportunity slip away to 
enact what may well be the most significant conservation effort of the 
century.
  As part of any discussion into utilizing revenues from Outer 
Continental Shelf oil drilling to fund conservation programs, I want to 
ensure that wildlife programs are kept among the priorities of the 
debate. Specifically, I want to comment upon the importance of funding 
for wildlife conservation, education, and restoration efforts as 
provided in both the House and Senate versions of the Conservation and 
Reinvestment Act of 1999. This funding would be administered as a 
permanent funding source through the successful Pittman-Robertson Act.
  This program enjoys a great deal of support including a coalition of 
nearly 3,000 groups across the country known as the Teeming with 
Wildlife Coalition. Also, this funding would be provided without 
imposing new taxes. Funds will be allocated to all 50 states for 
wildlife conservation of non-game species, with the principal goal of 
preventing species from becoming endangered or listed under the 
Endangered Species Act.
  In my home state of Arkansas, we have recognized the importance of 
funding conservation and management initiatives. The people of Arkansas 
were successful in passing a one-eighth cent sales tax to fund these 
types of programs. As I'm sure is true all across this country, people 
don't mind paying taxes for programs that promote good wildlife 
management and help keep species off of the Endangered Species List.
  By taking steps now to prevent species from becoming endangered, we 
are not only able to conserve the significant cultural heritage of 
wildlife enjoyment for the people of this country, but also to avoid 
the substantial costs associated with recovery for endangered species. 
In fact, all 50 states would benefit as a result of the important link 
between these wildlife education-based initiatives and the benefits of 
wildlife-related tourism.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee to make this historic legislation a reality 
upon our return early next year.

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