[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2080-2093]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCTED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
        Kerry, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Akaka, Mr. 
        Leahy, and Mr. Sarbanes):
  S. 2181. A bill to amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to 
provide full funding for funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, 
and to provide dedicated funding for other conservation programs, 
including coastal stewardship, wildlife habitat protection, State and 
local part and open space preservation, historic preservation, forestry 
conservation programs, and youth conservation corps; and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                    CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP ACT

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the 
``Conservation and Stewardship Act,'' which is cosponsored by Senators 
Hollings, Baucus, Kerry, Boxer, Lieberman, Bryan, Akaka, Leahy, and 
Sarbanes. This comprehensive bill will provide permanent and dedicated 
funding from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas revenues to be used 
for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and many other important 
conservation programs, including coastal, wildlife habitat, endangered 
species, historic preservation, State and local park and open space 
preservation, forestry and farmland conservation, and youth 
conservation corps programs. While the bill will ensure much-needed 
funding for many Federal conservation programs, most of the programs 
included in the bill will assist States, counties, or cities to 
implement local conservation and recreation projects. In addition, this 
legislation will, for the first time, fully fund the Payments In Lieu 
of Taxes (PILT) program, which provides payments to local governments 
for the loss of tax revenues resulting from Federal lands in their 
jurisdiction.
  In developing this bill, I have tried to include a variety of 
programs to ensure that the benefits from OCS revenues--which are a 
federal resource belonging to all Americans--are equitably distributed 
throughout the country. While some programs in the bill are of specific 
interest to coastal States, others will have more application in 
interior areas; some programs in the bill provide funding for large 
cities and urban areas, while others are designed to assist rural 
communities. If we are to succeed in passing a comprehensive 
conservation bill this year, the benefits must extend to all regions of 
the country.
  In addition, I think it's important to recognize that several very 
meritorious legislative proposals have already been put forward. One of 
my goals in developing this bill was to try and incorporate important 
programs from the other bills, and I am pleased that many of the 
sponsors of those proposals are also supporting this bill. I also want 
to

[[Page 2081]]

recognize the efforts that Senator Landrieu, Senator Murkowski, and 
others have made in generating support for a comprehensive conservation 
bill with their legislative proposal. While there are differences in 
our bills and in some of our funding priorities, I believe our 
underlying goals are the same. I am committed to working with them, and 
with all other interested Senators, as we try to pass a bill this year.
  I would like to add that my primary goal in introducing this bill is 
to try and move the legislative process forward in the Senate. I think 
a consensus approach, such as we are proposing today, is our only 
chance of getting a bill enacted into law this year.
  I know some have questioned why these programs--or any program--
should be provided with dedicated funding. When Congress amended the 
LWCF Act in 1968 to credit a portion of Outer Continental Shelf oil and 
gas lease revenues into the fund, the premise was that at least some of 
the revenues from OCS oil and gas production, a non-renewable resource, 
should be used to protect other resources throughout the country. I 
think that was a wise concept then, and one we should continue to 
adhere to today. Along those lines, it is important that whatever 
programs are included in a comprehensive bill contribute to enriching 
the natural, cultural, or historical legacy of this country. In my 
opinion, such a bill is not only justifiable, but necessary if we are 
going to be responsible to future generations.
  Mr. President, I would like to briefly describe some of the major 
programs that would receive dedicated funding in this bill.
  Since its enactment over 35 years ago, the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund Act has been not only one of the most popular 
conservation measures ever signed into law, but one of the most far-
sighted as well. Revenues deposited into the fund are used to protect 
our national and cultural heritage in our national parks, forests, 
wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, trails, wild and scenic rivers, and 
other important areas. In addition, the LWCF State grant program 
assists States in the planning, acquisition, and development of open 
space and outdoor recreation facilities.
  However, over the past 35 years, appropriations from the LWCF have 
lagged far behind the amounts credited into the fund, even though 
demand for LWCF funding continues to increase. In fact, on average, 
less than half of the amounts credited to the fund have actually been 
authorized. Today, the fund's unappropriated balance exceeds $13 
billion. History has shown that if the LWCF remains subject to the 
annual appropriations process, the intent of the fund will never be 
fulfilled. For that reason, my bill uses OCS oil and gas receipts to 
provide dedicated funding for the LWCF and all of the other 
conservation programs in the bill. The bill funds the LWCF and its 
fully authorized level of $900 million annually, divided equally 
between the Federal land acquisition and State grant programs.
  In addition, I think it's important that the benefits we will get 
from fully funding the LWCF not be negated by placing new restrictions 
on the land acquisitions in our national parks, forests and wildlife 
refuges. I am concerned about language in other bills on this issue 
which are pending in the House and Senate which would create new 
obstacles to protecting threatened national resources. I think a much 
better approach is to take the existing LWCF program, which has a 
proven track record, and ensure that it is adequately funded. However, 
I have included language which gives the Congress the ability to 
override proposed Federal agency expenditures, while ensuring that all 
of the money is actually spent for the intended purpose.
  Likewise, I believe it's important that new restrictions not be 
placed on States for the use of the funds they receive under the State 
grant program. Although some have proposed to restructure the State 
program, I think the flexibility given to States in the current law is 
appropriate, and States should continue to determine how to allocate 
LWCF funds for recreational and open space needs, consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and with review by the Secretary of the 
Interior.
  Title II of the Conservation and Stewardship Act provides funding to 
protect and restore our fragile coastal resources. It establishes the 
Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund, and dedicates $365 million annually, 
primarily to States, to address a broad array of coastal and marine 
conservation needs. This fund is administered by the Secretary of 
Commerce. The bill also establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Impact 
Assistance Fund, administered by the Secretary of the Interior, to 
provide $100 million annually to Coastal States suffering negative 
environmental impacts from oil and gas production on the OCS.
  The Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund addresses four programs. The 
first account within the fund allocates $250 million to Coastal States 
for a broad range of coastal and marine conservation activities which 
ensure protection for coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries and marine 
species. The second account allocates $25 million to Coastal States to 
fund joint marine enforcement agreements between States and the 
Secretary of Commerce, thereby increasing enforcement capabilities for 
both Federal and State marine resource protection laws. The third 
account gives $75 million to Coastal States to fund fisheries research 
and management. The fourth account allocates $15 million to the 
Secretary of Commerce for the protection of coral reefs. A 
complementary program for protection of coral resources under the 
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior is contained in Title VI 
of my bill as described further below.
  Although other bills have been introduced which also address coastal 
funding, I believe the Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund contains 
several significant advantages. First, it requires that all money 
received under this fund be used only for the protection of the marine 
and coastal environment. Second, it ties the amount of money States 
will receive to demonstrated conservation need rather than the amount 
of production occurring offshore the State, or a State's or county's 
proximity to that production. In this manner, my bill refrains from 
allowing money from this fund to be used as an incentive to begin or 
increase production in the Federal OCS. My bill also excludes revenues 
from leases included within areas covered by a moratorium on leasing.
  The Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund allocates $100 
million specifically to address the needs of those Coastal States which 
have hosted Federal OCS oil and gas production off their shores, and 
which have suffered negative environmental impacts from that 
production. Funds are distributed based on shoreline miles and coastal 
population (25 percent each) and the amount of production occurring 
offshore the Coastal State (50 percent). States can use the money only 
to mitigate adverse environmental impacts directly attributable to the 
development of oil and gas resources of the OCS.
  The bill also establishes a separate Coral Reef Resources Restoration 
Fund. This fund provides $15 million annually to the Secretary of the 
Interior for the protection of coral reef resources under the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary. The bill authorizes the Secretary to 
make grants, not to exceed 75 percent of the total costs, for projects 
which promote the viability of coral reef systems under the 
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. Grants would be 
available to natural resource agencies of States or Territories, 
educational or non-governmental institutions, or organizations with 
demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral reefs.
  Like many of the other comprehensive conservation proposals, my bill 
includes significant new funding to assist States in protecting 
wildlife habitat. The Conservation and Stewardship Act includes a $350 
million annual increase in deposits into the Pittman-Robertson fund, to 
help fund a broad variety of wildlife conservation programs, with an 
emphasis on protecting habitat for non-game species.
  In addition, the bill establishes a new $50 million fund to protect 
threatened

[[Page 2082]]

and endangered species. Under the program, the Secretary of the 
Interior would be authorized to enter into agreements with private 
landowners to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species. 
This incentive program would assist landowners who voluntarily agree to 
take protective actions beyond what is required under existing law.
  In addition to the funds provided for Federal and State programs 
through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Conservation and 
Stewardship Act provides funding for several programs to assist States, 
local governments, and other organizations in the protection of open 
space. The bill includes $50 million in funding for the Forest Legacy 
Program, $50 million for the Farmland Protection Program, and $50 
million for a new program to allow for the voluntary acquisition of 
conservation easements to prevent ranchlands from being converted to 
non-agricultural uses.
  The bill also includes $125 million for a new grant program to be 
administered by the Secretary of the Interior to help States conserve, 
on a matching basis, non-Federal lands or waters of clear regional or 
national interest.
  Presently, OCS revenues are credited to only two funds: the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund. Like the 
LWCF, appropriations from the HPF have lagged far behind the $150 
million that is annually credited to the fund. The Conservation and 
Stewardship Act will, for the first time, ensure that the fully 
authorized amount is expended. In addition, the bill requires that at 
least half of the fund, $75 million, be available to States, tribes, 
and local governments to allow them to better carry out their 
responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act. The bill 
also requires that at least 50 percent of the Federal funds spent under 
the program be used for the restoration of historic properties.
  The bill also funds the American Battlefield Protection Program at 
$15 million per year, fulfilling recommendations made by the Civil War 
Sites Advisory Commission. Funding would be available for preservation 
assistance for all types of battlefields, although with respect to 
Civil War battlefields, the funding priority would be for ``Priority 
1'' battlefields identified in the Civil War Sites Advisory 
Commission's report.
  Mr. President, it is well known that many of the natural and historic 
resources in the parks and historic sites of our National Park System 
are facing significant threats, especially given the limited funds 
available to the Park Service to address this issue. In an attempt to 
improve this problem, the Conservation and Stewardship Act creates a 
new ``National Park System Resource Protection Fund'' and provides $150 
million in annual funding. Moneys from the fund are available to the 
Secretary of the Interior to protect significant natural, cultural or 
historical resources in units of the National Park System that are 
threatened by activities occurring inside or outside of the park 
boundaries. The Secretary is also authorized to enter into cooperative 
agreements with State and local governments and other organizations to 
address these threats. In addition, the bill makes clear that the fund 
cannot be used to fund land acquisitions, permanent employee salaries, 
road construction, or projects which already receive funding through 
the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program.
  Like many of the other programs included in this bill, the Urban 
Parks and Recreation Recovery Program is a program with overwhelming 
demand and, in recent years, little or non-existent funding. In an 
effort to revitalize this program, the Conservation and Stewardship Act 
provides $75 million in dedicated funding each year for UPARR programs, 
a significant increase over recent appropriations.
  I think it is important that a comprehensive conservation bill focus 
not only on land acquisition and other resource conservation programs, 
but also on improving the tie between these resources and local 
communities. I have included funding for four programs to assist the 
way communities, including young people, work with public and private 
partners to plan and take action for the long-term stewardship and 
maintenance of lands and resources.
  Dedicated funding for the Youth Conservation Corps and related 
partnerships will enable us to make significant investments in two of 
our country's most valuable treasures--our natural resources and our 
young people. The investments in our youth and our natural resources 
can grow together and benefit one another.
  The Youth Conservation Corps, and related partnerships with 
nonprofit, State, and local youth conservation corps (``YCC''), are 
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the 
Interior. It is clear that they are successful and popular programs. 
The demand for summer conservation jobs for youth overwhelmingly 
exceeds the supply. Over the past twenty years, a lack of adequate 
funding has been the biggest obstacle preventing YCC from realizing an 
even greater level of success.
  Our parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands benefit 
because important conservation projects are completed at a lower cost. 
Our youth, on summer break from school, benefit by engaging in positive 
and meaningful activities. There are many types of projects that youth 
complete--construction, maintenance, reconstruction, restoration, 
repair, or rehabilitation of natural, cultural, historic, 
archaeological, recreational, or scenic resources.
  Senator Scoop Jackson was the sponsor of the original legislation 
that created the YCC. He had the foresight and vision to create 
opportunities for young people to complete conservation and restoration 
projects on our public lands. The bill I am introducing today will 
enable us to embrace Senator Jackson's legacy by fully funding YCC, 
thereby achieving the levels of participation that existed during his 
tenure in the Senate.
  Last year, the National Parks, Historic Preservation, and Recreation 
Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on YCC and related partnerships. 
Both National Park Service Director Stanton, on behalf of the 
Department of the Interior, and Forest Service Chief Dombeck expressed 
enthusiastic support for these programs. Similarly, over the past year 
I have learned that strong bipartisan Congressional support exists for 
YCC and related partnerships.
  All of our country's public lands will benefit from these programs. 
The existing authorizing law includes a State grant component as well 
as opportunities for projects to be completed on public lands other 
than Federal lands.
  I have a letter that I will submit for the record from the National 
Association of Service and Conservation Corps and the Student 
Conservation Association supporting inclusion of the YCC provision in 
this bill. Partnerships between members of these organizations and the 
Federal land management agencies seem to be the most cost effective and 
efficient way to maximize both the number of conservation projects and 
the youth who complete them. Dedicated funding will ensure that 
existing partnerships are maintained while also allowing for the 
creation of new partnerships across the country.
  The Forest Service's Economic Action Program (``EAP'') assists rural 
forest-dependent communities to foster stronger links between the 
health of forests and the well-being of communities. It is an important 
complement to land acquisition under the LWCF, helping rural 
communities to effectively participate in plans and actions that affect 
the future management of public and private forest lands.
  One of the most important aspects of EAP is the emphasis on helping 
communities organize and develop their own broad-based local action 
plans. This is the first step in enabling a community to build a 
sustainable future based on the integration of economic, social, and 
environmental objectives. Communities can then focus on organizing, 
planning, and implementing natural resource based projects contained in 
their plans. Projects range from tourism and value-added manufacturing 
to historic preservation.

[[Page 2083]]

  In addition to the planning component, EAP also helps communities to 
build rural business infrastructure to better use and market the 
byproducts of ecosystem restoration; strengthen, diversify, and expand 
their local economies; improve transportation networks for forest-based 
products; and increase their access to technology through partnerships. 
Projects range from tourism and value-added manufacturing to historic 
preservation.
  EAP's focus is to promote self-sufficiency by leveraging small grants 
for capacity building. Many recipients of these grants are able to 
start forest-based small businesses with the Forest Service's technical 
and financial assistance. The Forest Service is the best, often the 
only, delivery mechanism because Forest Service personnel are already 
located and established in these communities.
  As evidenced by a recent oversight hearing before the Subcommittee on 
Forests and Public Land Management, the Economic Action programs are 
strongly supported by rural communities across the country. Lack of 
adequate and consistent funding is the primary obstacle that has 
prohibited these programs from achieving even greater levels of 
success.
  I ask unanimous consent to place a letter in the Record from American 
Forests supporting inclusion of this program in the bill that I am 
introducing today. The National Network of Forest Practitioners also 
has expressed support for EAP in testimony before Congress for several 
years.
  Urban and Community Forestry is an important program that has been 
overlooked in other recent legislative proposals. Through this program, 
the Forest Service works with national groups and networks, such as 
American Forests and the Alliance for Community Trees, and with local 
governments, community groups, and private businesses in hundreds of 
rural communities and cities across the country to heighten awareness 
of the ecological benefits that trees and forests provide.
  Urban and community forests provide tremendous value to communities 
in terms of ``ecological services,'' such as filtering air pollutants, 
cleaning drinking water, managing stormwater flows, and reducing energy 
consumption. Recent losses in tree and forest cover in communities in 
the United States translate into billions of dollars of lost value in 
terms of ecological services.
  The Urban and Community Forestry Program is the key Federal program 
assessing and highlighting the significant environmental values 
associated with urban forests and helping communities plan and take 
action to preserve, restore, and maintain their green infrastructure. 
It is a capacity-building program, providing Federal technical and 
financial assistance to communities and empowering them to plan and 
take action for themselves, while strongly leveraging the Federal 
assistance.
  This program complements the LWCF and other programs currently 
included in other legislative proposals to provide increased funding 
for conservation. This program could deliver increased levels of 
success with an increased and predictable level of funding.
  My bill also provides full funding for the Payment In Lieu of Taxes 
Program. This program, like many of the others in this bill, is 
generally funded at far below its authorized level. The program 
compensates units of local governments, primarily counties, for the 
loss of tax revenues due to the presence of Federal lands within their 
jurisdiction, and recognizes the important partnership between the 
Federal government and local governments in any national conservation 
effort.
  Mr. President, I have received letter from a broad coalition of 
environmental, conservation, and historic preservation groups in 
support of this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that they be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                    March 6, 2000.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Hart Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: All of the environmental and 
     preservation organizations listed below are writing to thank 
     you for your leadership in introducing the Conservation and 
     Stewardship Act of 2000 and to express our strong support. 
     Your bill is an excellent piece of legislation that achieves 
     the objective of providing permanent mandatory funding for a 
     number of critical conservation needs including: the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); the Historic Preservation 
     Fund (HPF); acquisition of non-federal lands of regional or 
     national interest; coastal restoration; state wildlife 
     conservation; endangered species protection; preservation of 
     our national parks; urban recreation and forestry; 
     conservation easements for farm, forest, and ranch land; and 
     important rural assistance programs.
       We are especially grateful that the Conservation and 
     Stewardship Act of 2000 achieves these vital objectives while 
     addressing important concerns that the environmental 
     community has identified in other legislative efforts to 
     achieve these same ends. We look forward to working with you, 
     the President, and other leaders to ensure passage of sound 
     conservation funding legislation in this Congress. Again, we 
     deeply appreciate your leadership on this legislation.
           Sincerely,
         Defenders of Wildlife; Environmental Defense; Friends of 
           the Earth; League of Conservation Voters; National 
           Parks Conservation Association; Natural Resources 
           Defense Council; National Trust for Historic 
           Preservation; Scenic America; Sierra Club; The 
           Wilderness Society; U.S. Public Interest Research 
           Group; World Wildlife Fund.
                                  ____



                                 National Wildlife Federation,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2000.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Hart Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: On behalf of the National Wildlife 
     Federation and our millions of members and supporters, I want 
     to thank you for introducing the Conservation and Stewardship 
     Act and express our strong support for this important 
     legislation. This bill would make an historic contribution to 
     conservation by providing substantial and reliable funding 
     for the protection and restoration of our nation's wildlife; 
     public lands; coastal and marine resources; historic and 
     cultural treasures; state, local and urban parks and 
     recreation programs; and open space.
       As you know, the House Resources Committee has approved 
     similar legislation, H.R. 701 the Conservation and 
     Reinvestment Act, which was recently introduced by Chairman 
     Frank Murkowski and Senator Mary Landrieu as S. 2123. Like 
     your bill, H.R. 701/S. 2123 would provide permanent funding 
     to a variety of important conservation programs. The National 
     Wildlife Federation is supporting H.R. 701/S. 2123 while 
     seeking key changes to improve the bill. Many of the changes 
     we are seeking in H.R. 701/S. 2123 are already in your bill.
       We are eager to see the sponsors of these related bills 
     work together to find a proposal that can be passed by the 
     Senate and enacted into law.
       The National Wildlife Federation looks forward to working 
     with you, the President, and other leaders to ensure passage 
     of sound conservation funding legislation in this Congress. 
     Again, we deeply appreciate your leadership on this 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,

                                           Steven J. Shimberg,

                                         Vice President, Office of
     Federal and International Affairs.
                                  ____



                                    The Trust for Public Land,

                                 San Francisco, CA, March 6, 2000.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: On behalf of The Trust for Public 
     Land and our many land conservation partners across America, 
     I am writing to thank you for your promotion of legislation 
     that would bring important new substance and certainty to our 
     national investment in resource land protection.
       We are gratified that the Conservation and Stewardship Act 
     you introduce today would institute structural revisions to 
     the Land & Water Conservation Fund to ensure full annual 
     funding of LWCF's currently authorized but only partly 
     realized potential to protect federal lands--including our 
     irreplaceable national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and 
     other public land treasures--and to provide urgently needed 
     grants for state and local parkland and recreation 
     partnerships. We also deeply appreciate the new federal tools 
     your legislation would provide for the protection of 
     threatened ranchlands and non-federal lands of regional and 
     national significance; the enhancements it would afford to 
     such other existing programs as the Forest Legacy Program, 
     the Farmland Protection Program, the Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Act, and the Urban and Community Forestry 
     Program; and its additional provisions to protect natural, 
     cultural, recreational, and other crucial resources. And we 
     are encouraged that your direct approach to establishing this 
     lasting commitment to our nation's legacy of open spaces 
     avoids new procedural complexities.

[[Page 2084]]

       I am therefore pleased to offer The Trust for Public Land's 
     support for the Conservation and Stewardship Act, and for 
     your outstanding efforts to protect America's most vital 
     resources. We look forward to working with you, as the 
     legislative process unfolds this year, to secure permanent, 
     stable funding for these vital programs.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Alan Front,
     Senior Vice President.
                                  ____



                                             American Forests,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2000.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: I am writing to express our support 
     for the bill you are introducing today, the Conservation and 
     Stewardship Act. There is a great need for stronger and more 
     consistent annual investment in programs that protect, 
     restore, and maintain lands and resources, and we believe 
     your bill is an excellent vehicle for working toward this 
     objective. We are especially pleased that the bill includes 
     three programs administered by the USDA Forest Service--the 
     Urban and Community Forestry Program, Forest Legacy Program, 
     and Economic Action Programs. These programs complement the 
     land acquisition elements of other Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund (LWCF) bills by providing for the ongoing 
     stewardship of lands and resources.
       American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit 
     conservation organization in the U.S. Since 1875, we have 
     worked with scientists, resource managers, policymakers, and 
     citizens to promote policies and programs that help people 
     improve the environment with trees and forests. We partner 
     with public and private organizations in communities around 
     the country providing technical information and resources to 
     leverage local actions. Our Global ReLeaf campaign, which 
     raises private funds and provides grants to local 
     organizations for ecosystem restoration projects, has helped 
     people plant more than 12 million trees since 1990.
       The three programs I cited above focus on helping 
     communities plan and take action for the long-term 
     maintenance, or stewardship, of lands and resources. The 
     Urban and Community Forestry Program provides technical and 
     financial assistance to local governments and community 
     groups around the country to develop plans and actions to 
     protect and maintain ``green infrastructure'' and deal with 
     sprawl and quality-of-life issues. Forest Legacy helps 
     communities work with willing private forest landowners to 
     confront development pressures through the use of 
     conservation easements which allow landowners to maintain 
     their forests in conservation uses. The Economic Action 
     Programs assist rural forest-dependent communities to 
     effectively participate in plans and actions affecting public 
     and private forests, and to foster stronger links between the 
     health of the forest and the well-being of communities.
       We appreciate your leadership in calling attention to the 
     need to increase support for stewardship programs while 
     Congress is considering major new public investments in 
     conservation programs through the LWCF. If we can be of any 
     assistance with respect to your new bill, we stand ready to 
     help.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Deborah Gangloff,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____

                                           National Association of


                               Service and Conservation Corps,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2000.


                             Student Conservation Association,

                                   Charlestown, NH, March 6, 2000.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: The National Association of Service 
     and Conservation Corps and the Student Conservation 
     Association join in thanking you for your leadership in 
     finding a means of support for youth partnership programs on 
     the nation's public lands.
       Together, we wish to announce our strong support for the 
     legislation you are introducing today that will establish a 
     $60 million Youth Conservation Corps Fund with Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenue, and which will take numerous other 
     steps in support of essential Federal, state, and local 
     conservation measures and programs.
       State and local conservation and service corps in 31 states 
     and the District of Columbia, as well as participants in the 
     Student Conservation Association's programs nationwide, can 
     look forward to the opportunity to work hard while providing 
     conservation service that benefits the entire nation, thanks 
     to this legislation.
       We applaud your efforts and look forward to working with 
     you to transform this vision into a reality that benefits the 
     nation's youth and natural resources.
           Sincerely yours,
     Kathleen Selz,
                                                 President, NASCC.
     Dale Penny,
     President, SCA.
                                  ____



                                 Alliance For Community Trees,

                                      Dallas, TX, August 16, 1999.
     Re support for the USDA Forest Service's Urban & Community 
         Forestry Program to be part of the land and water 
         conservation reauthorization bill.

     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Budget Committee, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: The Miller/Young Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund reauthorization bill includes funding for 
     the Department of Interiors' Urban Parks Recovery Program 
     (UPARR) but does not include any funding for the Forest 
     Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF).
       While UPARR will address some of the basic physical 
     components of the bill, it will not begin to touch the urban 
     work needed to make the program a success in the community. 
     The U&CF Program address's the community-based work and 
     issues such as urban sprawl and natural resources and 
     ecosystems.
       We believe that the delivery system for the U&CF program 
     has a wider audience, reaching Federal and State governments 
     in all 50 states, as well as partners in the grassroots 
     nonprofit community. The UPARR delivery system is strictly 
     through the Federal government and in only 400 specific 
     cities. The Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) members alone 
     represents over 75 million Americans in twenty-eight states. 
     ACT also partners with federal, state and local partners in 
     every facet of the communities in which they serve. In 
     addition, the Alliance for Community Trees groups, in 
     partnership with the government agencies, will help address 
     the human elements to the program through community outreach, 
     technical assistance and volunteer opportunities. Lastly, we 
     believe that the funding will be more productively spent 
     through a coordinated effort of both UPARR and the U&CF 
     Program.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Suzanne Probart,
     Issues Committee.
                                  ____



                                        Tree New Mexico, Inc.,

                                 Albuquerque, NM, August 16, 1999.
     Re: Support for urban & community forestry programs in New 
         Mexico through the proposed land and water conservation 
         reauthorization bills.

     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Budget Committee, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Bingaman: Tree New Mexico (TNM) is New 
     Mexico's premier nonprofit grassroots tree planting and 
     education organization whose full-time programs offer 
     volunteer tree planting opportunities, education and training 
     to all NM citizens. Since 1990, Tree New Mexico has planted 
     over 575,000 trees in urban, riparian, rural areas statewide. 
     In addition, TNM's education program delivers environmental 
     education and specialty training to over 6,000 New Mexico's 
     children annually.
       The various Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) 
     reauthorization bills (H.R. 701--Young/Dingell, H.R. 798-
     Miller, S. 25--Landrieu/Murkowski, S. 446--Boxer, and S. 
     532--Feinstein) all included funding for conservation 
     programs, land acquisition and park infrastructure through 
     the Dept. of Interiors' Urban Parks Recovery Program (UPARR). 
     Tree New Mexico recommends that the USDA Forest Service's 
     Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) is included in 
     LWCF funding bill. While UPARR will address some of the basic 
     physical components of the bill, it will not begin to touch 
     the urban work needed to make the program a success in the 
     community. In addition, the UPARR delivery system is strictly 
     through the Federal government and in only 400 specific 
     cities. With the exception of perhaps Albuquerque, we do not 
     feel this will benefit New Mexico very well.
       The delivery system for the U&CF program has a wider 
     audience, reaching Federal and State governments in all 50 
     states, as well as partners in the grassroots nonprofit 
     community--like Tree New Mexico. The U&CF Program addresses 
     the green infrastructure--trees and landscaping! Who would 
     want to play ball or spend time in a park with no trees? We 
     believe that the funding will be more productively spent 
     through a coordinated effort of both UPARR and the U&CF 
     Program.
       Tree New Mexico respectfully urges you to take a leadership 
     role by encouraging the committee to request that the Urban & 
     Community Forestry Program receive funding from the Land & 
     Water Conservation Fund for the benefit of all New Mexicans.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Suzanne Probart,
                                               Executive Director.

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Let me conclude by particularly thanking David Brooks, 
Mary Katherine Ishee, and Bob Simon, who are all on the staff of our 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee. They have done yeoman's work in 
getting this bill prepared for introduction and obtaining the support 
of many of the Senators who are cosponsors on the bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill I have 
introduced today be printed in the Record.

[[Page 2085]]

  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2181

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Conservation and Stewardship 
     Act''.

               TITLE I--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act Amendments of 2000''.

     SEC. 102. LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Permanent Appropriation Into the Fund.--Section 2 of 
     the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 
     460l-5) is amended--
       (1) in the first paragraph by striking ``During the period 
     ending September 30, 2015, there'' and inserting ``There'';
       (2) in paragraph (c)(1) by striking ``not less than'' and 
     all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
     inserting ``not less than $900,000,000 for each fiscal 
     year.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (c)(2) by striking ``shall be credited'' 
     and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
     inserting ``shall be deposited into the fund from qualified 
     Outer Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)). Such moneys shall only be used to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act.''.
       (b) Permanent Funding Authority.--Section 3 of the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``Of amounts in the fund, $900,000,000 shall be available 
     each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in accordance 
     with section 5 of this Act. Such funds shall be made 
     available without further appropriation, and shall remain 
     available until expended. Other moneys in the fund shall be 
     available for expenditure only when appropriated therefor. 
     Such appropriations may be made without fiscal year 
     limitation.''.
       (c) Allocation of Funds.--Section 5 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-7) is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``Fifty percent of the funds made available each fiscal 
     year shall be used for Federal land acquisition purposes as 
     provided in section 7 of this Act, and fifty percent shall be 
     used for financial assistance to States as provided in 
     section 6 of this Act.''.
       (d) State Funding Allocations.--Section 6(b) of the Land 
     and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(b)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Sums appropriated and available'' and 
     inserting ``Amounts made available'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (1) in its entirety and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(1) Eighty percent of the amounts made available shall be 
     apportioned as follows:
       ``(A) Sixty percent shall be apportioned equally among the 
     several States;
       ``(B) Twenty percent shall be apportioned on the basis of 
     the ratio which the population of each State bears to the 
     total population of the United States; and
       ``(C) Twenty percent shall be apportioned on the basis of 
     the urban population in each State (as defined by 
     Metropolitan Statistical Areas).''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2) by striking ``At any time, the 
     remaining appropriation'' and inserting ``The remaining 
     allocation''.
       (e) Federal Land Acquisition Projects.--Section 7(a) of the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
     9(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Moneys appropriated'' and all that 
     follows through ``subpurposes'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1)(A) The President shall transmit, as part of the 
     annual budget proposal, a priority list for Federal land 
     acquisition projects. Funds shall be made available from the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund, without further 
     appropriation, 15 days after the date the Congress adjourns 
     sine die for each year, for the projects identified on the 
     President's priority list, unless prior to such date, 
     legislation is enacted establishing a different priority 
     list.
       ``(B) If Congress enacts legislation establishing an 
     alternate priority list, and such priority list funds less 
     than the annual authorized funding amount identified in 
     section 5, the difference between the authorized funding 
     amount and the alternate priority list shall be available for 
     expenditure, without further appropriation, in accordance 
     with the priority list submitted by the President.
       ``(C)(1) In developing the annual land acquisition priority 
     list, the President shall require the Secretary of the 
     Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop the 
     priority list for the sites under each Secretary's 
     jurisdiction. The Secretaries shall prepare the lists in 
     consultation with the head of each affected bureau or agency, 
     taking into account the best professional judgment regarding 
     the land acquisition priorities and policies of each bureau 
     or agency.
       ``(2) In preparing the lists referred to in paragraph (1), 
     the Secretaries shall ensure that not less than $5 million is 
     made available each year for the acquisition of easements, on 
     a willing seller basis, to provide for non-motorized access 
     to public lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational 
     purposes.
       ``(D) Amounts made available from the fund for Federal land 
     acquisition projects shall be used for the purposes and 
     subpurposes identified in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of 
     this subsection.''; and
       (2) by redesignating subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

     SEC. 102. NON-FEDERAL LANDS OF REGIONAL OR NATIONAL INTEREST.

       Title I of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 
     (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 14. NON-FEDERAL LANDS OF REGIONAL OR NATIONAL 
                   INTEREST.

       ``(a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the 
     Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as 
     the ``Non-Federal Lands of Regional or National Interest 
     Fund'' (in this section referred to as the ``fund''). There 
     shall be deposited into the fund $125,000,000 in fiscal year 
     2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf Revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(b) Expenditures.--(1) Of the amounts in the fund, 
     $125,000,000 shall be available each year to the Secretary of 
     the Interior for obligation or expenditure in accordance with 
     this section. Such funds shall be available without further 
     appropriation, subject to the requirements of this section, 
     and shall remain available until expended.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall prepare, as part of the annual 
     budget proposal, a priority list for grant projects to be 
     funded under this section, from among the applications 
     submitted pursuant to subsection (c). Moneys shall be 
     available from the fund, without further appropriation, 15 
     days after the date Congress adjourns sine die each year, for 
     the projects specified on the priority list, unless prior to 
     such date, legislation is enacted establishing a different 
     priority list.
       ``(c) Grants to States.--(1) A State may submit an 
     application to the Secretary for a grant to fund the 
     conservation of non-Federal lands or waters of clear regional 
     or national interest.
       ``(2) In determining whether to recommend the award of a 
     grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider, on a 
     competitive basis, the extent to which a proposed 
     conservation project described in the grant application will 
     conserve the natural, historic, cultural, and recreational 
     values of the non-Federal lands or waters to be protected.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall give preference to proposed 
     conservation projects--
       ``(A) that seek to protect ecosystems;
       ``(B) that are developed in collaboration with other 
     States, or with private persons or entities; or
       ``(C) that are complementary to conservation or restoration 
     programs undertaken on Federal lands.
       ``(4) A grant awarded to a State under this subsection 
     shall cover not more than 50 percent of the total cost of the 
     conservation project.''.

                     TITLE II--COASTAL STEWARDSHIP

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000.''

     SEC. 202. AMENDMENT TO OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf 
     Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(r) As used in sections 31 and 32, the term `coastline' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 2(c) of the 
     Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301(c));
       ``(s) As used in sections 31 and 32, the term `Coastal 
     State' has the same meaning given such term in section 304(4) 
     of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 
     1453(4));
       ``(t) As used in sections 31 and 32, the term `leased 
     tract' means a tract, maintained under section 6 or leased 
     under section 8 for the purposes of drilling for, developing 
     and producing oil and natural gas resources, which is a unit 
     consisting of either a block, a portion of a block, a 
     combination of blocks or portions of blocks (or both), as 
     specified in the lease, and as depicted on an Outer 
     Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagram;
       ``(u) As used in sections 31 and 32, the term `qualified 
     Outer Continental Shelf revenues' means all amounts received 
     by the United States as bonus bids, rents, royalties 
     (including payments for royalty taken in kind and sold), net 
     profit share payments, and related late payment interest from 
     natural gas and oil leases issued pursuant to section 8 or 
     maintained under section 6, accruing from each leased tract 
     or portion of a leased tract, the geographic center of which 
     lies within a distance of 200 miles from any part of the 
     coastline of any Coastal State. It shall not include amounts 
     from any leased tract or portion of a leased tract which is 
     included

[[Page 2086]]

     within any area of the Outer Continental Shelf where a 
     moratorium on new leasing was in effect as of January 1, 
     1999, unless the leased tract or portion of leased tract was 
     issued prior to the establishment of the moratorium and is in 
     production as of January 1, 2000. For each leased tract or 
     portion of a leased tract lying within the zone defined and 
     governed by section 8(g), and to which section 8(g) applies, 
     the term `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' shall 
     include only amounts remaining after payment has been to 
     States in accordance with section 8(g).''.
       (b) Ocean and Coast Conservation.--The Outer Continental 
     Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 31. OCEAN AND COAST CONSERVATION FUND.

       ``(a) Establishment of Fund.--(1) There is established in 
     the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known 
     as the `Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund' (in this section 
     referred to as the `fund'). There shall be deposited into the 
     fund $365,000,000 from qualified Outer Continental Shelf 
     revenues in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
     Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the purposes of 
     this section.
       ``(2) Of the amounts in the fund, $365,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this section. Such funds shall be made 
     available to the Secretary of Commerce without further 
     appropriation, subject to the requirements of this section, 
     and shall remain available until expended.
       ``(b) Allocation of Funds.--Notwithstanding section 9, the 
     Secretary of Commerce shall allocate funds available under 
     this section as follows:
       ``(1) for uses identified in subsection (c), $250,000,000;
       ``(2) for uses identified in subsection (d), $25,000,000;
       ``(3) for uses identified in subsection (e), $75,000,000; 
     and
       ``(4) for uses identified in subsection (f), $15,000,000.
       ``(c) Coastal Stewardship.--(1) The Secretary of Commerce 
     shall allocate among all Coastal States the funds available 
     under subsection (b)(1) as follows:
       ``(A) 25 percent of the funds under this subsection shall 
     be allocated based on the ratio of the coastline miles of the 
     Coastal State to the coastline miles of all Coastal States;
       ``(B) 25 percent of the funds under this subsection shall 
     be allocated based on the ratio of the coastal population of 
     the Coastal State to the coastal population of all Coastal 
     States;
       ``(C) 50 percent of the funds under this subsection shall 
     be allocated based on the demonstrated conservation and 
     protection needs of the Coastal State for coastal stewardship 
     uses as determined under this subsection.
       ``(2) The Secretary of Commerce, in accordance with the 
     requirements of this section, shall determine the allocation 
     each State is entitled to receive based on demonstrated 
     conservation and protection need under subsection (c)(1)(C).
       ``(3) To be eligible to receive moneys under subsection 
     (c)(1)(C), a Coastal State must submit to the Secretary of 
     Commerce an application demonstrating the conservation and 
     protection needs of the Coastal State. Such application shall 
     indicate how moneys received from that portion of the fund 
     would be used in accordance with the allowable uses 
     identified in this subsection. This application shall be 
     submitted as part of the plan required under subsection 
     (c)(6) and in accordance with the requirements of that 
     subsection.
       ``(4) In determining the allocation of moneys based on 
     demonstrated conservation and protection need as provided in 
     subsection (c)(1)(C), priority shall be given to activities 
     and plans--
       ``(A) which support and are consistent with National 
     Estuary programs, National Estuarine Research Reserve 
     programs, the National Marine Sanctuary Act, the Coastal Zone 
     Management Act, and other State or Federal laws governing the 
     conservation or restoration of coastal or marine fish 
     habitat;
       ``(B) which promote coastal conservation, restoration, or 
     water quality protection on a watershed or regional basis; or
       ``(C) which address coastal conservation needs created by 
     seasonal or otherwise transient fluctuations in population in 
     Coastal States.
       ``(5) Coastal States shall use moneys received under this 
     subsection only for--
       ``(A) the conservation or protection of coastal and marine 
     habitats including wetlands, estuaries, and coral reefs;
       ``(B) projects to remove abandoned vessels or marine debris 
     that may adversely affect coastal habitat or living marine 
     resources;
       ``(C) the reduction or monitoring of coastal polluted 
     runoff or other coastal contaminants;
       ``(D) addressing watershed protection including 
     conservation needs which cross jurisdictional boundaries;
       ``(E) the assessment, research, mapping and monitoring of 
     coastal and marine habitats.
       ``(F) addressing coastal conservation needs associated with 
     seasonal or otherwise transient fluctuations in coastal 
     populations;
       ``(G) the establishment, monitoring or assessment of marine 
     protected areas.
       ``(6) To be eligible to receive moneys under this 
     subsection, a Coastal State must submit to the Secretary of 
     Commerce a plan detailing the uses to which the Coastal State 
     will put all funds received under this subsection. The plan 
     shall be developed with public input, and must certify that 
     uses set forth in the plan comply with all applicable Federal 
     and State laws, including environmental laws. Each plan shall 
     consider ways to use funds received under this subsection to 
     assist local governments, non-profit organizations, or public 
     institutions with activities or programs consistent with this 
     subsection.
       ``(7) No funds under this subsection shall be made 
     available to a Coastal State until the Secretary of Commerce 
     has affirmatively found that all uses proposed by a Coastal 
     State are consistent with the purposes and requirements of 
     this subsection.
       ``(d) Cooperative Enforcement Uses.--(1) The Governor of a 
     State represented on an Interstate Fisheries Commission may 
     apply to the Secretary of Commerce for execution of a 
     cooperative enforcement agreement with the Secretary of 
     Commerce. Cooperative agreements between the Secretary of 
     Commerce and such States shall authorize the deputization of 
     State law enforcement officers with marine law enforcement 
     responsibilities, to perform duties of the Secretary of 
     Commerce relating to any law enforcement provision of any 
     marine resource laws enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, 
     including the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Such 
     cooperative enforcement agreements shall be consistent with 
     the purposes and intent of section 311(a) of the Magnuson-
     Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1861(a)), to the extent applicable to the regulated 
     activities, and may include specifications for joint 
     management responsibilities as provided by section 1 of 
     Public Law 91-412 (15 U.S.C. 1525).
       ``(2) Upon receiving an application meeting the 
     requirements of this subsection, the Secretary of Commerce 
     shall enter into the cooperative enforcement agreement with 
     the requesting State.
       ``(3) Consistent with the fund amounts contained in 
     subsection (b)(2), The Secretary of Commerce shall include in 
     each cooperative enforcement agreement an allocation of funds 
     to assist in management of the agreement. The allocation 
     shall be equitably distributed among all States participating 
     in cooperative enforcement agreements under this subsection, 
     based upon consideration of the specific marine conservation 
     enforcement needs of each participating State. Such agreement 
     may provide for amounts to be withheld by the Secretary of 
     Commerce for the cost of any technical or other assistance 
     provided to the State by the Secretary of Commerce under the 
     agreement.
       ``(e) Cooperative Research and Management Uses.--(1) The 
     Governor of any State represented on an Interstate Marine 
     Fishery Commission may apply to the Secretary of Commerce for 
     the execution of a research and management agreement, on a 
     sole source basis, for the purpose of undertaking eligible 
     projects required for the effective management of living 
     marine resources of the United States. Upon determining that 
     the application meets the requirements of this subsection, 
     the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into such agreement. 
     Such agreement may provide for amounts to be withheld by the 
     Secretary of Commerce for the cost of any technical or other 
     assistance provided to the State by the Secretary of Commerce 
     under the agreement.
       ``(2) The Secretary of Commerce shall allocate to States 
     participating in a research and management agreement under 
     this subsection funds to assist in implementing the 
     agreement, consistent with the amounts available under 
     subsection (b)(3).
       ``(3) For purposes of this subsection, eligible projects 
     are those which address critical needs identified in fishery 
     management reports or plans developed and approved by a State 
     Marine Fisheries Commission, Regional Fishery Management 
     Council, or other regional or tribal entity, charged with 
     management and conservation of living marine resources, and 
     that pertain to--
       ``(A) the collection and analysis of fishery data and 
     information, including data on landings, fishing effort, 
     biology, habitat, economics and social changes, including 
     those information needs identified pursuant to section 401 of 
     the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1881); or
       ``(B) the development of measures to promote innovative or 
     cooperative management of fisheries.
       ``(4) In making funds available under this subsection, the 
     Secretary of Commerce shall give priority to eligible 
     projects that meet any of the following criteria:
       ``(A) establishment of observer programs;
       ``(B) cooperative research projects developed among States, 
     academic institutions, and the fishing industry, to obtain 
     data or other information necessary to meet national or 
     regional management priorities;
       ``(C) projects to reduce harvesting capacity performed in a 
     manner consistent with section 312(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 1862(b));
       ``(D) projects designed to identify ecosystem impacts of 
     fishing, including the relationship between fishing harvest 
     and marine mammal population abundance; and

[[Page 2087]]

       ``(E) projects for the identification, conservation or 
     restoration of fish habitat.
       ``(5) Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Commerce shall adopt procedures necessary to 
     implement this section.
       ``(f) Coral Reef Protection.--The Secretary of Commerce 
     shall use amounts provided in subsection (b)(4) for the 
     conservation and protection of coral reefs.
       ``(g) Annual Accounting.--Not later than June 15 of each 
     year, each Coastal State receiving moneys from the fund shall 
     account for all moneys so received for the previous fiscal 
     year in a written report to the Secretary of Commerce. This 
     report shall include a description of all projects and 
     activities receiving funds under this section.
       ``(h) Congressional Approval.--The Secretary of Commerce 
     shall transmit, as part of the annual budget proposal, a 
     priority list for allocations to Coastal States under 
     subsection (c)(1)(C), and subsections (d), (e), and (f). 
     Moneys shall be made available from the fund 15 days after 
     the sine die adjournment of the Congress each year, without 
     further appropriation, for the projects identified on the 
     priority list, unless prior to such date, legislation is 
     enacted establishing a different priority list. If Congress 
     enacts legislation establishing an alternate priority list, 
     and such priority list funds less than the annual authorized 
     funding amount identified in subsections (c)(3), (d), (e), or 
     (f), the difference between the authorized funding amount and 
     the alternate priority list shall be available for 
     expenditure, without further appropriation, in accordance 
     with the priority list submitted by the Secretary.

     ``SEC. 32. COASTAL IMPACT ASSISTANCE.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Distance.--The term `distance' means minimum great 
     circle distance, measured in statute miles; and
       ``(2) Producing coastal state.--The term `Producing Coastal 
     State' means a Coastal State, any portion of which lies 
     within a distance of 200 miles from the geographic center of 
     any leased tract having an approved plan of development, and 
     which leased tract, as of January 1, 1999, was not covered by 
     a moratorium on leasing, unless the lease was issued prior to 
     the establishment of the moratorium and was in production on 
     January 1, 1999.
       ``(b) Establishment of Fund.--(1) There is established in 
     the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known 
     as the ``Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund'' (in 
     this section referred to as the ``fund''). There shall be 
     deposited into the fund in fiscal year 2000 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter $100,000,000 from qualified Outer Continental 
     Shelf revenues for each leased tract or portion of a leased 
     tract lying seaward of the zone defined and governed by 
     section 8(g), or lying within that zone but to which section 
     8(g) does not apply. Such moneys shall be used only to carry 
     out the purposes of this section.
       ``(2) Of the amounts in the fund, $100,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this section. Such funds shall be made 
     available to the Secretary without further appropriation, 
     subject to the requirements of this section, and shall remain 
     available until expended.
       ``(c) Payment to Producing Coastal States.--
       ``(1) Notwithstanding section 9, the Secretary shall, 
     without further appropriation, make payments in each fiscal 
     year to Producing Coastal States equal to the amount 
     deposited in the fund for the prior fiscal year.
       ``(2) Such payments shall be allocated among the Producing 
     Coastal States as follows:
       ``(A) 25 percent of the funds shall be allocated based on 
     the ratio of the shoreline miles of the Producing Coastal 
     State to the shoreline miles of all Producing Coastal States;
       ``(B) 25 percent of the funds shall be allocated based on 
     the ratio of the coastal population of the Producing Coastal 
     State to the coastal population of all Producing Coastal 
     States;
       ``(C) 50 percent of the funds shall be allocated based upon 
     the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production offshore 
     of such Producing Coastal State. The allocation shall only 
     include qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues from any 
     leased tract the geographic center of which lies within a 
     distance of 200 miles from any portion of such Producing 
     Coastal State, but shall not include revenues from any leased 
     tract or portion of a leased tract which, as of January 1, 
     1999, was covered by a moratorium on leasing, unless the 
     lease was issued prior to the establishment of the moratorium 
     and was in production on January 1, 1999. Each Producing 
     Coastal State's allocable share shall be inversely 
     proportional to the distance between the nearest port on the 
     coastline of such Producing Coastal State and the geographic 
     center of each leased tract or portion of the leased tract as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(e) Minimum State Share.--The allocable share of revenues 
     for each Producing Coastal State shall not be less than 
     $2,000,000.
       ``(f) Uses.--Producing Coastal States shall use moneys 
     received from the fund only to mitigate adverse environmental 
     impacts directly attributable to the development of oil and 
     gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf.
       ``(g) State Plans and Annual Report.--(1) Prior to the 
     receipt of funds pursuant to this section in any fiscal year, 
     a Producing Coastal State shall submit to the Secretary a 
     plan for the use of such moneys. The plan shall be developed 
     with public participation and in accordance with all 
     applicable State and Federal laws. The Secretary shall make 
     payments from the fund only upon determining, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Commerce, that the State plan ensures 
     that the Producing Coastal State will use its allocated funds 
     in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this 
     section.
       ``(2) No later than June 15 of each year, each Producing 
     Coastal State receiving money from this fund shall account 
     for all moneys so received for the previous fiscal year in a 
     written report to the Secretary and the Secretary of 
     Commerce. The report shall include a description of all 
     projects and activities receiving funds under this 
     section.''.

            TITLE III--WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE

       This title may be cited as the ``Wildlife Conservation and 
     Restoration Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 302. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds and declares that--
       (1) a diverse array of species of fish and wildlife is of 
     significant value to the Nation for many reasons: aesthetic, 
     ecological, educational, cultural, recreational, economic, 
     and scientific;
       (2) the United States should retain for present and future 
     generations the opportunity to observe, understand, and 
     appreciate a wide variety of wildlife;
       (3) millions of citizens participate in outdoor recreation 
     through hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation, all of 
     which have significant value to the citizens who engage in 
     these activities;
       (4) providing sufficient and properly maintained wildlife 
     associated recreational opportunities is important to 
     enhancing public appreciation of a diversity of wildlife and 
     the habitats upon which they depend;
       (5) lands and waters which contain species neither 
     classified as game nor identified as endangered or threatened 
     can provide opportunities for wildlife associated recreation 
     and education such as hunting and fishing permitted by 
     applicable State or Federal law;
       (6) hunters and anglers have for more than 60 years 
     willingly paid user fees in the form of Federal excise taxes 
     on hunting and fishing equipment to support wildlife 
     diversity and abundance, through enactment of the Federal Aid 
     in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 1669 et seq.; commonly 
     referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act), and the Federal 
     Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.; 
     commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act);
       (7) State programs, adequately funded to conserve a broader 
     array of wildlife in an individual State and conducted in 
     coordination with Federal, State, tribal, and private 
     landowners and interested organizations, would continue to 
     serve as a vital link in a nationwide effort to restore game 
     and nongame wildlife, and the essential elements of such 
     programs should include conservation measures which manage 
     for a diverse variety of populations of wildlife; and
       (8) cooperative conservation efforts aimed at preventing 
     species from becoming endangered will significantly benefit 
     private landowners and other citizens by responding to early 
     warning signs of decline in a flexible, incentive-based 
     manner that minimizes the social and economic costs often 
     associated with listing species as threatened or endangered; 
     and
       (9) it is proper for Congress to bolster and extend this 
     highly successful program to aid game and nongame wildlife in 
     supporting the health and diversity of habitat, as well as 
     providing funds for conservation education.

     SEC. 303. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this title are--
       (1) to extend financial and technical assistance to the 
     States under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act for 
     the benefit of a diverse array of wildlife and associated 
     habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished, to 
     fulfill unmet needs of wildlife within the States while 
     recognizing the mandate of the States to conserve all 
     wildlife;
       (2) to assure sound conservation policies through the 
     development, revision and implementation of wildlife 
     associated recreation and wildlife associated education and 
     wildlife conservation law enforcement;
       (3) to encourage State fish and wildlife agencies to create 
     partnerships between the Federal Government, other State 
     agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, and outdoor 
     recreation and conservation interests through cooperative 
     planning and implementation of this title; and
       (4) to encourage State fish and wildlife agencies to 
     provide for public involvement in the process of development 
     and implementation of a wildlife conservation and restoration 
     program.

     SEC. 304. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Reference to Law.--The term ``Federal Aid in Wildlife 
     Restoration Act'' means the Act of September 2, 1937 (16 
     U.S.C. 669 et

[[Page 2088]]

     seq.), commonly referred to as the Federal Aid in Wildlife 
     Restoration Act or Pittman-Robertson Act.
       (b) Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program.--Section 
     2 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669a) is amended by inserting after ``shall be construed'' 
     the first place it appears the following: ``to include the 
     wildlife conservation and restoration program and''.
       (c) State Agencies.--Section 2 of the Federal Aid in 
     Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is further amended 
     by inserting ``or State fish and wildlife department'' after 
     ``State fish and game department''.
       (d) Conservation.--Section 2 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is further amended by 
     striking the period at the end thereof, substituting a 
     semicolon, and adding the following: ``the term 
     `conservation' shall be construed to mean the use of methods 
     and procedures necessary or desirable to sustain healthy 
     populations of wildlife including all activities associated 
     with scientific resources management such as research, 
     census, monitoring of populations, acquisition, improvement 
     and management of habitat, live trapping and transplantation, 
     wildlife damage management, and periodic or total protection 
     of a species or population as well as the taking of 
     individuals within wildlife stock or population if permitted 
     by applicable State and Federal law; the term `wildlife 
     conservation and restoration program' shall be construed to 
     mean a program developed by a State fish and wildlife 
     department that the Secretary determines meets the criteria 
     in section 6(d), the projects that constitute such a program, 
     which may be implemented in whole or part through grants and 
     contracts by a State to other State, Federal, or local 
     agencies wildlife conservation organizations and outdoor 
     recreation and conservation education entities from funds 
     apportioned under this title, and maintenance of such 
     projects; the term `wildlife' shall be construed to mean any 
     species of wild, free-ranging fauna including fish, and also 
     fauna in captive breeding programs the object of which is to 
     reintroduce individuals of a depleted indigenous species into 
     previously occupied range; the term `wildlife-associated 
     recreation' shall be construed to mean projects intended to 
     meet the demand for outdoor activities associated with 
     wildlife including, but not limited to, hunting and fishing, 
     such projects as construction or restoration of wildlife 
     viewing areas, observation towers, blinds, platforms, land 
     and water trails, water access, trailheads, and access for 
     such projects; and the term `wildlife conservation education' 
     shall be construed to mean projects, including public 
     outreach, intended to foster responsible natural resource 
     stewardship.''.
       (e) Funding.--Subsection 3(a) of the Federal Aid in 
     Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b(a)) is amended in 
     the first sentence--
       (1) by inserting at the beginning thereof the following: 
     ``There shall be deposited into the Federal Aid in Wildlife 
     Restoration Fund (referred to as the ``fund'') in the 
     Treasury: (1)''; and
       (2) by striking ``shall,'';
       (3) by inserting after ``Internal Revenue Code of 1954'' 
     the following: ``; and (2) $350,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 
     and each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Land Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)).''; and
       (4) by striking ``be covered into'' and all that follows 
     through ``is authorized'' and inserting ``Moneys in the fund 
     are authorized''.

     SEC. 305. SUBACCOUNTS.

       Section 3 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669b) is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(c) A subaccount shall be established in the Federal Aid 
     in Wildlife Restoration Fund in the Treasury to be known as 
     the ``wildlife conservation and restoration account'' and the 
     deposits each fiscal year to such account shall be equal to 
     the $350,000,000 referred to in subsection (a)(2). Amounts in 
     such account shall be made available without further 
     appropriation, for apportionment at the beginning of fiscal 
     year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out State 
     wildlife conservation and restoration programs.
       ``(d) Funds covered into the wildlife conservation and 
     restoration account shall supplement, but not replace, 
     existing funds available to the States from the sport fish 
     restoration and wildlife restoration accounts and shall be 
     used for the development, revision, and implementation of 
     wildlife conservation and restoration programs and should be 
     used to address the unmet needs for a diverse array of 
     wildlife and associated habitats, with an emphasis on species 
     that are not hunted or fished, for wildlife conservation, 
     wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated 
     recreation projects. Such funds may be used for new programs 
     and projects as well as to enhance existing programs and 
     projects.
       ``(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), with respect 
     to the wildlife conservation and restoration account, so much 
     of the appropriation apportioned to any State for any fiscal 
     year as remains unexpended at the close thereof is authorized 
     to be made available for expenditure in that State until the 
     close of the fourth succeeding fiscal year. Any amount 
     apportioned to any State under this subsection that is 
     unexpended or unobligated at the end of the period during 
     which it is available for expenditure on any project is 
     authorized to be reapportioned to all States during the 
     succeeding fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 306. ALLOCATION OF SUBACCOUNT RECEIPTS.

       Section 4 of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended by adding the following:
       ``(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), not more than 2 
     percent of the revenues deposited into the wildlife 
     conservation and restoration account in each fiscal year as 
     the Secretary of the Interior may estimate to be necessary 
     for expenses in the administration and execution of programs 
     carried out under the wildlife conservation and restoration 
     account shall be deducted for that purpose, and such amount 
     is authorized to be made available therefor until the 
     expiration of the next succeeding fiscal year. Within 60 days 
     after the close of such fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     apportion any portion thereof as remains unexpended, if any, 
     on the same basis and in the same manner as is provided under 
     paragraphs (2) and (3).
       ``(2) The Secretary, after making the deduction under 
     paragraph (1), shall make the following apportionment from 
     the amount remaining in the wildlife conservation and 
     restoration account:
       ``(A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth 
     of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than \1/2\ of 1 
     percent thereof; and
       ``(B) to Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum 
     equal to not more than \1/6\ of 1 percent thereof.
       ``(3) The Secretary, after making the deduction under 
     paragraph (1) and the apportionment under paragraph (2), 
     shall apportion the remaining amount in the wildlife 
     conservation and restoration account for each year among the 
     States in the following manner:
       ``(A) one-third of which is based on the ratio to which the 
     land area of such State bears to the total land area of all 
     such States; and
       ``(B) two-thirds of which is based on the ratio to which 
     the population of such State bears to the total population of 
     all such States.
       ``(4) The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be 
     adjusted equitably so that no such State shall be apportioned 
     a sum which is less than \1/2\ of 1 percent of the amount 
     available for apportionment under this paragraph for any 
     fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount.
       ``(d) Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program.--(1) 
     Any State, through its fish and wildlife department, may 
     apply to the Secretary for approval of a wildlife 
     conservation and restoration program or for funds to develop 
     a program, which shall--
       ``(A) contain provision for vesting in the fish and 
     wildlife department of overall responsibility and 
     accountability for development and implementation of the 
     program; and
       ``(B) contain provision for development and implementation 
     of--
       ``(i) wildlife conservation projects which expand and 
     support existing wildlife programs to meet the needs of a 
     diverse array of wildlife species, including a wildlife 
     strategy as set forth in subsection (e),
       ``(ii) wildlife associated recreation programs, including 
     provisions for non-motorized public access to public lands, 
     and
       ``(iii) wildlife conservation projects; and
       ``(C) contain provisions for public participation in the 
     development, revision, and implementation of projects and 
     programs stipulated in subparagraph (B) of this subsection.
       ``(2) If the Secretary finds that an application for such 
     program contains the elements specified in subparagraphs (A), 
     (B), and (C) of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall approve 
     such application and set aside from the apportionment to the 
     State made pursuant to section 4(c) an amount that shall not 
     exceed 90 percent of the estimated cost of developing and 
     implementing segments of the program for the first 5 fiscal 
     years following enactment of this subsection and not to 
     exceed 75 percent thereafter. Not more than 10 percent of the 
     amounts apportioned to each State from this subaccount for 
     the State's wildlife conservation and restoration program may 
     be used for law enforcement. Following approval, the 
     Secretary may make payments on a project that is a segment of 
     the State's wildlife conservation and restoration programs as 
     the project progresses but such payments, including previous 
     payments on the project, if any, shall not be more than the 
     United States pro rata share of such project. The Secretary, 
     under such regulations as he may prescribe, may advance funds 
     representing the United States pro rata share of a project 
     that is a segment of a wildlife conservation and restoration 
     program, including funds to develop such program. For 
     purposes of this subsection, the term `State' shall include 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, America Samoa, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
       ``(e) Wildlife Conservation Strategy.--Any state that 
     receives an apportionment

[[Page 2089]]

     pursuant to section 4(c) shall within five years of the date 
     of the initial apportionment development and begin 
     implementation of a wildlife conservation strategy based upon 
     the best scientific information and data available that--
       ``(1) integrates available information on the distribution 
     and abundance of species of wildlife, including law 
     population and declining species as the State fish and 
     wildlife department deems appropriate, that exemplify and are 
     indicative of the diversity and health of wildlife of the 
     State;
       ``(2) identifies the extend and condition of habitats and 
     community types essential to conservation of species 
     identified under paragraph (1);
       ``(3) identifies the problems which may adversely affect 
     the species identified under paragraph (1) or their habitats, 
     and provides for research to identify factors which may 
     assist in restoration and more effective conservation of such 
     species and their habitats;
       ``(4) determines those actions which should be taken to 
     conserve the species identified under paragraph (1) in their 
     habitats, and establishes priorities for implementing such 
     conservation actions;
       ``(5) provides for periodic monitoring of species 
     identified under paragraph (1) and their habitats and the 
     effectiveness of the conservation actions determined under 
     paragraph (4), and for adapting conservation actions as 
     appropriate to respond to new information or changing 
     conditions;
       ``(6) provides for the review of the State wildlife 
     conservation strategy and, if appropriate, revision at 
     intervals of not more than ten years;
       ``(7) provides for coordination by the State fish and 
     wildlife department, during the development, implementation, 
     review, and revision of the wildlife conservation strategy, 
     with Federal, State, and local agencies and Indian tribes 
     that manage significant areas of land or water within the 
     State, or administer programs that significantly affect the 
     conservation of species identified under paragraph (1) or 
     their habitats.''.

     SEC. 307. FACA.

       Coordination with State fish and wildlife department 
     personnel or with personnel of other State agencies pursuant 
     to the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act or the Federal 
     Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act shall not be subject to the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). Except for 
     the preceding sentence, the provisions of this title relate 
     solely to wildlife conservation and restoration programs as 
     defined in this title and shall not be construed to affect 
     the provisions of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 
     relating to wildlife restoration projects or the provisions 
     of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act relating to 
     fish restoration and management projects.

     SEC. 308. LAW ENFORCEMENT.

       The third sentence of subsection (a) of section 8 of the 
     Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669g) is 
     amended by inserting before the period at the end thereof: 
     ``, except that not more than 5 percent of the funds 
     available from this subaccount for a State wildlife 
     conservation and restoration program may be used for law 
     enforcement through existing State programs.''.

     SEC. 309. PROHIBITION AGAINST DIVERSION.

       No designated State agency shall be eligible to receive 
     matching funds under this Act if sources of revenue available 
     to it on January 1, 1998, for conservation of wildlife are 
     diverted for any purpose other than the administration of the 
     designated State agency, it being the intention of Congress 
     that funds available to States under this Act be added to 
     revenues from existing State sources and not serve as a 
     substitute for revenues from such sources. Such revenues 
     shall include interest, dividends, or other income earned on 
     the foregoing.

     TITLE IV--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES HABITAT PROTECTION

     SEC. 401. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY FUND.

       (a) Definitions.--As used in this section--
       (1) the term ``recovery agreements'' means Endangered and 
     Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into by the 
     Secretary under subsection (e); and
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (b) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a fund that shall be known as the 
     ``Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund'' (in this 
     section referred to as the ``fund''). There shall deposited 
     into the fund $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter from qualified Outer Continental Shelf 
     revenues (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as 
     amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys 
     shall be used only to carry out the purposes of this section.
       (b) Expenditures.--Of the amounts in the fund, $50,000,000 
     shall be available each fiscal year to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for obligation or expenditure in accordance with 
     this section. Such funds shall be made available without 
     further appropriation, subject to the requirements of this 
     section, and shall remain available until expended.
       (c) Financial Assistance.--(1) The Secretary of the 
     Interior may use amounts in the fund to provide financial 
     assistance to any person for the development of recovery 
     agreements.
       (2) In providing assistance under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to the development and 
     implementation of recovery agreements that--
       (A) implement actions identified under recovery plans 
     approved by the Secretary under section 4(f) of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f));
       (B) have the greatest potential for contributing to the 
     recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and
       (C) to the extent practicable, require the assistance of 
     private landowners or the owners or operators of family 
     farms.
       (d) Prohibition of Assistance for Required Activities.--The 
     Secretary may not provide financial assistance under this 
     section for any action that is required by a permit issued 
     under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.) or that is otherwise required under that Act or any 
     other Federal law.
       (e) Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery 
     Agreements.--The Secretary is authorized to enter into 
     Endangered and threatened Species Recovery Agreements in 
     accordance with this section. The purpose of such recovery 
     agreements shall be to provide voluntary incentives for 
     landowners to take actions to contribute to the recovery of 
     endangered or threatened species. Each recovery agreement 
     shall--
       (1) require the person--
       (A) to carry out on real property owned or leased by such 
     person activities that are not otherwise required by law and 
     that contribute to the recovery of an endangered or 
     threatened species; and
       (B) to refrain from carrying out on real property owned or 
     leased by such person otherwise lawful activities that would 
     inhibit the recovery of a threatened or endangered species;
       (2) describe the real property referred to in paragraph 
     (1);
       (3) specify species recovery goals for the agreement and 
     measures for attaining such goals;
       (4) establish a schedule for the implementation of the 
     recovery agreement; and
       (5) specify how the recovery agreement will be monitored to 
     assess the effectiveness in attaining the species recovery 
     goals.

                 SPECIES V--HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

     SEC. 501. HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND AMENDMENTS.

       Section 108 of the National Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
     470h) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before the first sentence of the 
     first paragraph;
       (2) by inserting ``(b)'' before the first sentence of the 
     second paragraph;
       (3) by adding at the end thereof the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(c) There shall be deposited into the fund $150,000,000 
     in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from 
     qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is 
     defined in section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal 
     Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act.
       ``(d)(1) Of the amounts in the fund, $150,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with paragraph (2). Such funds shall be made 
     available without further appropriation, subject to the 
     requirements of this Act, and shall remain available until 
     expended.
       ``(2) Of the amounts made available each fiscal year--
       ``(A) not less than $75,000,000 shall be available for 
     State, local governmental, and tribal historic preservation 
     programs as provided in subsections 101(b), (c), and (d) of 
     this Act; and
       ``(B) $15,000,000 shall be available to the American 
     Battlefield Protection Program (section 604 of Public Law 
     104-333; 16 U.S.C. 469k) for the protection of threatened 
     battlefields; and
       ``(C) the remainder shall be available for the matching 
     grant programs authorized in section 101(e) of this Act: 
     Provided, That not less than 50 percent of the amounts made 
     available shall be used for preservation projects on historic 
     properties in accordance with this Act, with priority given 
     to the preservation of endangered historic properties.
       ``(e)(1) The President shall transmit, as part of the 
     annual budget proposal, a list of matching grant programs to 
     be funded and additional funding amounts, if any, for State, 
     local governmental, and tribal historic programs. Funds shall 
     be made available from the Historic Preservation Fund, 
     without further appropriation, 15 days after the date the 
     Congress adjourns sine die each year, for the programs 
     identified by the President to be funded, unless prior to 
     such date, legislation is enacted establishing funding, for 
     other specific programs authorized in this Act.
       ``(2) If the list of programs approved by Congress funds 
     less than the annual authorized funding amount, the remainder 
     shall be available for expenditure, without further 
     appropriation, in accordance with the list of programs 
     submitted by the President.
       ``(3) If the President recommends additional funding for 
     State, local government,

[[Page 2090]]

     or tribal historic preservation programs, priority shall be 
     given to the preservation of endangered historic 
     properties.''.

     SEC. 502. AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

       The American Battlefield Act of 1996 (section 604 of Public 
     Law 104-333; 16 U.S.C. 469k) is amended as follows:
       (1) in subsection (c)(2) by adding the following sentence 
     at the end thereof; ``Priority for financial assistance for 
     the preservation of Civil War Battlefields shall be given to 
     sites identified as Priority 1 battlefields in the 1993 
     ``Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report on the Nation's 
     Civil War Battlefields'';
       (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d) Funding Authority.--Of amounts in the Historic 
     Preservation Fund, $15,000,000 shall be available each year 
     for obligation or expenditure for the protection of 
     threatened battlefields in accordance with this title. Such 
     funds shall be available without further appropriation, and 
     shall remain available until expended.''.
       (3) By repealing subsection (e) in its entirety.

            TITLE VI--NATURAL RESOURCE RESTORATION PROGRAMS

     SEC. 601. NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM RESOURCE PROTECTION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a fund that shall be known as the 
     ``National Park System Resource Protection Fund'' (in this 
     title referred to as the ``fund''). There shall be deposited 
     into the fund $150,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each 
     fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer Continental Shelf 
     revenues (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as 
     amended by the Coastal and Marine Resources Enhancement Act 
     of 2000). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of this section.
       (b) Expenditures.--(1) Of the amounts in the fund, 
     $150,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this section. Such funds shall be made 
     available without further appropriation, subject to the 
     requirements of this section, and shall remain available 
     until expended.
       (2) Amounts in the fund shall only be used to protect 
     significant natural, cultural or historical resources at 
     units of the National Park System that are--
       (A) threatened by activities occurring inside or outside 
     park boundaries; or
       (B) in need of stabilization or restoration.
       (3) The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative 
     agreements with State and local governments and other public 
     and private organizations to carry out the purposes of this 
     section.
       (4) No funds made available by this section shall be used 
     for--
       (A) acquisition of lands or interests therein;
       (B) salaries of National Park Service permanent employees;
       (C) construction of roads;
       (D) construction of new visitor centers;
       (E) routine maintenance activities; or
       (F) specific projects which are funded by the Recreational 
     Fee Demonstration Program (section 315 of Public Law 104-134; 
     16 U.S.C. 460l (note)).
       (5)(A) The Secretary of the Interior shall prepare, as part 
     of the annual budget proposal, a priority list for projects 
     to be funded under this section. Moneys shall be made 
     available from the fund, without further appropriation, 15 
     days after the date the Congress adjourns sine die each year, 
     for the projects identified on the priority list, unless 
     prior to such date, legislation is enacted establishing a 
     different priority list.
       (B) In preparing the list of projects to be funded under 
     this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall give 
     priority to projects that--
       (i) are identified in the park unit's general management 
     plan;
       (ii) are included in authorized environmental restoration 
     projects; or
       (iii) are identified by the Secretary of the Interior as 
     necessary to prevent immediate damage to a park unit's 
     natural, cultural, or historical resources.
       (B) If Congress enacts legislation establishing an 
     alternate priority list, and such priority list funds less 
     than the annual authorized funding amount identified in 
     subjection (b)(1), the difference between the authorized 
     funding amount and the alternate priority list shall be 
     available for expenditure, without further appropriation, in 
     accordance with the priority list submitted by the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 602. CORAL REEF RESOURCE CONSERVATION FUND.

       (a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the 
     Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as 
     the ``Coral Reef Resources Restoration Fund'' (in this 
     section referred to as the ``fund''). There shall be 
     deposited into the fund $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer Continental 
     Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 2 of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331) (as 
     amended by the Coastal and Marine Resources Enhancement Act 
     of 1999)). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of this section.
       (b) Expenditures.--(1) Of the amounts in this fund, 
     $15,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this section, and shall remain available 
     until expended.
       (2)(A) the Secretary shall prepare, as part of the annual 
     budget proposal, a priority list for projects to be funded 
     under this section. Monies shall be made available from the 
     fund, without further appropriation, 15 days after the date 
     the Congress adjourns sine die for each year, for the 
     projects identified on that priority list, unless prior to 
     such date, legislation is enacted establishing a different 
     priority list.
       (B) If Congress enacts legislation establishing an 
     alternate priority list, and such priority list funds less 
     than the annual authorized funding amount identified in 
     subsection (b)(1), the difference between the authorized 
     funding amount and the alternate priority list shall be 
     available for expenditure, without further appropriation, in 
     accordance with the priority list submitted by the Secretary.
       (c) Definitions.--As used in this section--
       (1) the term ``coral reef'' means species (including reef 
     plants and coralline algae), habitats, and other natural 
     resources associated with any reefs or shoals composed 
     primarily of corals within all maritime areas and zones 
     subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, 
     including in the south Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, 
     and Pacific Ocean;
       (2) the term ``coral'' means species of the phylum 
     Cnidaria, including--
       (A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black corals), 
     Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), 
     Stlolnifea (organpipe corals and others), Alcyanacea (soft 
     corals), and Coenothecalia (blue corals), of the class 
     Anthozoa; and
       (B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire corals 
     and hydrocorals), of the class Hydroza;
       (3) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior;
       (4) the term ``coral reef conservation project'' means 
     activities that contribute to or result in preserving, 
     sustaining or enhancing coral reef ecosystems as healthy, 
     diverse and viable ecosystems, including--
       (A) actions to enhance or improve resource management of 
     coral reefs, such as assessment, scientific research, 
     protection, restoration and mapping;
       (B) habitat monitoring and species surveys and monitoring;
       (C) activities necessary for planning and development of 
     strategies for coral reef management;
       (D) Community outreach and education on coral reef 
     importance and conservation; and
       (E) activities in support of the enforcement of laws 
     relating to coral reefs; and
       (5) the term ``coral reef task force'' means the task force 
     established under Executive Order 13089 (June 11, 1998).
       (d) Coral Reef Conservation Program.--(1) The Secretary 
     shall provide grants of financial assistance for coral reef 
     conservation projects on areas under the jurisdiction of the 
     Department of the Interior in accordance with this section.
       (2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), Federal 
     funds for any coral reef conservation project under this 
     section may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of such 
     project. For purposes of this paragraph, the non-Federal 
     share of project costs may be provided by in-kind 
     contributions or other non-cash support.
       (B) The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching 
     fund requirement under paragraph (A) if the project costs are 
     $25,000 or less.
       (3) Any relevant natural resource management authority of a 
     State or territory of the United States, or other government 
     authority with jurisdiction over coral reefs or whose 
     activities affect coral reefs, or educational or non-
     governmental institutions or organizations with demonstrated 
     expertise in marine science or the conservation of coral 
     reefs, may submit a proposal for funding to the Secretary.
       (4) The Secretary shall ensure that financial assistance 
     provided under subsection (a) is distributed so that--
       (A) not less than 40 percent of the funds available are 
     awarded for conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean;
       (B) not less than 40 percent of the funds are awarded for 
     coral reef restoration and conservation projects in the 
     Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; and
       (C) remaining funds are awarded for coral reef project that 
     address emerging priorities or threats identified by the 
     Secretary in consultation with the Coral Reef Task Force.
       (5) After consultation with the Coral Reef Task Force, 
     States and territories, regional and local entities, and non-
     governmental organizations involved in coral and marine 
     conservation, the Secretary shall identify--
       (A) site-specific threats and constraints, and
       (B) comprehensive threats known to affect coral reef 
     ecosystems in the national parks, refuges, territories and 
     possessions to be used in establishing funding priorities for 
     grants issued under subsection (a).
       (6) The Secretary shall review and rank final coral reef 
     conservation project proposals according to the criteria set 
     out in subsection (d)(7).

[[Page 2091]]

       (A) For projects costing $25,000 or greater, the Secretary 
     shall provide for the merit-based peer review of the proposal 
     and require standardized documentation of that peer review.
       (B) As part of the peer review process for individual 
     grants, the Secretary shall also request written comments 
     from the appropriate bureaus or departments of State or 
     territorial governments, or other governmental jurisdiction, 
     where the project is proposed to be conducted.
       (7) The Secretary shall evaluate final project proposals 
     based on the degree to which the project will--
       (A) promote the long-term protection, conservation, 
     restoration or enhancement of coral reef ecosystems within or 
     adjoining areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
     the Interior;
       (B) promote cooperative conservation projects with local 
     communities, non-governmental organizations, educational or 
     private institutions; or local affected governments, 
     territories or insular areas;
       (C) enhance public knowledge and awareness of coral reef 
     resources and sustainable use through education and outreach;
       (D) develop sound scientific information on the condition 
     of coral reef ecosystems or the threats to such ecosystems, 
     through mapping, monitoring, research and analysis; and
       (E) enhance compliance with laws relating to coral reefs.
       (8) Within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall promulgate guidelines and requirements for 
     implementing this section, including the requirements for 
     project proposals.
       (A) In developing guidelines and requirements, the 
     Secretary shall consult with the Coral Reef Task Force, 
     interested States, regional and local entities, and non-
     governmental organizations.

              TITLE VII--URBAN PARK AND FORESTRY PROGRAMS

     SEC. 701. URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY FUND.

       Section 1013 of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act 
     of 1978 (Title X of Public Law 95-625; 16 U.S.C. 2512) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Urban Park and 
     Recreation Recovery Fund' (referred to as the `fund'). There 
     shall be deposited into the fund $75,000,000 in fiscal year 
     2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act.
       ``(b)(1) Of the amounts in the fund, $75,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this Act. Such funds shall be made available 
     without further appropriation, subject to the requirements of 
     this Act, and shall remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Not more than 3 percent of the funds made available 
     in any fiscal year may be used for grants for the development 
     of local park and recreation recovery programs pursuant to 
     subsection 1007(a) and (c) of this Act.
       ``(3) Not more than 10 percent of the funds made available 
     in any fiscal year may be used for innovation grants pursuant 
     to section 1006 of this act.
       ``(4) Note more than 15 percent of the funds made available 
     in any fiscal year may be provided as grants, in the 
     aggregate, for projects in any one State.''.

     SEC. 702. URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY ASSISTANCE FUND.

       Section 9(i) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
     1978 (Public Law 95-313; 16 U.S.C. 2101(note)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Urban and Community 
     Forestry Assistance Fund' (referred to as the `fund'). There 
     shall be deposited into the fund $50,000,000 in fiscal year 
     2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer 
     Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act.
       ``(b) Of the amounts in the fund, $50,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this Act. Such funds shall be made available 
     without further appropriation, subject to the requirements of 
     this Act, and shall remain available until expended.''.

                   TITLE VIII--CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

     SEC. 801. FOREST LEGACY FUND.

       Section 7(l) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
     1978 (Public Law 95-313; 16 U.S.C. 2010 (note)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Forest Legacy Fund' 
     (referred to as the `fund'). There shall be deposited into 
     the fund $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter from qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues 
     (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of the Outer 
     Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended 
     by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys shall 
     be used only to carry out the purposes of this Act.
       ``(b) Of the amounts in the fund, $50,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year to the Secretary of Agriculture 
     for obligation or expenditure in accordance with this Act. 
     Such funds shall be made available without further 
     appropriation, subject to the requirements of this Act, and 
     shall remain available until expended.''.

     SEC. 802. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       Section 388(c) of Public Law 104-127 (16 U.S.C. 3831 
     (note)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Farmland Protection 
     Fund' (referred to as the `fund'). There shall be deposited 
     into the fund $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter from qualified Outer Continental Shelf 
     revenues (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as 
     amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys 
     shall be used only to carry out the purposes of this Act.
       ``(b) Of the amounts in the fund, $50,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year to the Secretary of Agriculture 
     for obligation or expenditure in accordance with this Act. 
     Such funds shall be made available without further 
     appropriation, subject to the requirements of this Act, and 
     shall remain available until expended.''.

     SEC. 803. RANCHLAND PROTECTION.

       (a) Establishment of Ranchland Protection Fund.--There is 
     established in the Treasury of the United States a fund that 
     shall be known as the ``Ranchland Protection Fund'' (in this 
     section referred to as the ``fund''). There shall be 
     deposited into the fund $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter from qualified Outer Continental 
     Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of 
     the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as 
     amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys 
     shall be used only to carry out the purposes of this section.
       (b) Expenditures.--Of the amounts in the fund, $50,000,000 
     shall be available each fiscal year to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for obligation or expenditure in accordance with 
     this section. Such funds shall be made available without 
     further appropriation, subject to the requirements of this 
     section, and shall remain available until expended.
       (c) Ranchland Protection Program.--(1) The Secretary of the 
     Interior shall establish and carry out a program, to be known 
     as the ``Ranchland Protection Program'', under which the 
     Secretary shall provide grants from the Ranchland Protection 
     Fund to State or local governmental agencies, Indian tribes 
     or appropriate non-profit organizations to provide the 
     Federal share of the cost of purchasing permanent 
     conservation easements on ranchland, for the purpose of 
     protecting the continued use of the land as ranchland or open 
     space and preventing its conversion to non-agricultural or 
     open space uses.
       (2) No funds made available under this section may be used 
     to acquire any interest in land without the consent of the 
     owner thereof.
       (3) The holder of a conservation easement described in 
     paragraph (1) may enforce the conservation requirements of 
     the easement.
       (4) Prior to making funds available for a grant under this 
     section, the Secretary of the Interior shall receive 
     certification from the Attorney General of the State in which 
     the conservation easement is to be purchased that the 
     conservation easement is in a form that is sufficient, under 
     the laws of that State, to achieve the purpose of the 
     Ranchland Protection Program and the terms and conditions of 
     the grant.
       (5) For the purposes of this section, the term ``ranch 
     land'' means private or tribally owned range land, pasture 
     land, grazed forest land, and hay land.

        TITLE IX--NATURAL RESOURCE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS

     SEC. 901. YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS FUND.

       Section 106 of the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970 
     (Public Law 91-378; 16 U.S.C. 1706) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Youth Conservation 
     Corps Fund' (in this section referred to as the `fund'). 
     There shall be deposited into the fund $60,000,000 in fiscal 
     year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from qualified 
     Outer Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in 
     section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 
     2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to carry out the 
     purposes of title I and II of this Act.
       ``(b) Of the amounts in the fund, $60,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with titles I and II of this Act. Such funds shall 
     be made available to the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
     Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, 
     subject to the requirements of titles I and II of this Act, 
     and shall remain available until expended.''.

     SEC. 902. FOREST SERVICE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Rural Development Program.--The Cooperative Forestry 
     Assistance Act of 1978

[[Page 2092]]

     (Public Law 95-313; 16 U.S.C. 2101 (note)) is amended by 
     adding the following new section:

     ``SEC. 21. RURAL DEVELOPMENT.

       ``(a) The Secretary shall conduct a Rural Development 
     program to provide technical assistance to rural communities 
     for sustainable rural development purposes.
       ``(b) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Forest Service 
     Rural Development Fund' (in this section referred to as the 
     `fund'). There shall be deposited into the fund $25,000,000 
     in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter from 
     qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues (as that term is 
     defined in section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal 
     Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys shall be used only to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act.
       ``(c) Of the amounts in the fund, $25,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year to the Secretary of Agriculture 
     for obligation or expenditure in accordance with this Act. 
     Such funds shall be made available without further 
     appropriation, subject to the requirements of this section, 
     and shall remain available until expended.''.
       (b) Rural Community Assistance.--Section 2379 of the 
     National Forest-Dependent Rural Communities Economic 
     Diversification Act (Public Law 101-624, 7 U.S.C. 6601 
     (note)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Forest Service 
     Rural Community Assistance Fund' (in this section referred to 
     as the `fund'). There shall be deposited into the fund 
     $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter from qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues 
     (as that term is defined in section 2(u) of the Outer 
     Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended 
     by the Coastal Stewardship Act of 2000)). Such moneys shall 
     be used only to carry out the purposes of this Act.
       ``(b) Of the amounts in the fund, $25,000,000 shall be 
     available each fiscal year for obligation or expenditure in 
     accordance with this Act. Such funds shall be made available 
     without further appropriation, subject to the requirements of 
     this Act, and shall remain available until expended.''.

                   TITLE X--PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES

     SEC. 1001. PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES.

       Section 6906 of title 31, United States Code, (96 Stat. 
     1035) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund that shall be known as the `Payment in Lieu of 
     Taxes Fund' (referred to as the `fund'). There shall be 
     deposited into the fund in fiscal year 2001 and thereafter 
     from qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues (as that term 
     is defined in section 2(u) of the Outer Continental Shelf 
     Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(u)) (as amended by the Coastal 
     Stewardship Act of 2000)) such moneys as are necessary to 
     full fund payments to units of general local governments as 
     provided in this Act.
       ``(b) Amounts in the fund shall be available each fiscal 
     year to the Secretary of the Interior for obligation or 
     expenditure in accordance with this Act. Such funds shall be 
     made available without further appropriation, and shall 
     remain available until expended.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. GRASSLEY:
  S. 2182. A bill to reduce, suspend, or terminate any assistance under 
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act to 
each country determined by the President to be engaged in oil price 
fixing to the detriment of the United States economy, and for other 
purposes; to the committee on Foreign Relations.


                    Oil Price Reduction Act of 2000

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I introduced a companion piece of 
legislation to H.R. 3822, the Oil Price Reduction Act of 2000. This 
bill will help to address the problems our constituencies are 
experiencing throughout the nation due to climbing fuel prices.
  Last weekend I traveled back to my home and held a briefing near Des 
Moines to explain to my constituents that prices will likely rise 
significantly past current levels. I had the displeasure of looking 
truckers and farmers in the eye and telling them there is no relief in 
sight. In my home state we are experiencing price levels not seen in 
almost a decade, but all I could tell them was that it is going to get 
worse.
  Many of my colleagues know the cold, hard truth of the matter. When 
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) finally makes 
a substantive, definitive decision to increase oil production, it will 
still most likely take 60 days before adequate levels of fuel can be 
distributed throughout the U.S. That means if the OPEC Cartel decided 
to remedy the harm they have imposed on the American consumer today, we 
are still at least six weeks away from witnessing the peak in the price 
increase. We could very well see $2 per gallon gasoline by May and that 
is not acceptable.
  Iowans and the rest of the nation should not have been subjected to 
this price spike. The monopolistic production controls promulgated by 
OPEC in March of 1999 should have been challenged by our administration 
upon establishment, not when we finally felt the pinch.
  In addition, the Administration's energy policy is an aberration. 
This crisis only accentuates the problem with relying on foreign energy 
instead of expanding domestic opportunities. Since 1992, U.S. oil 
production is down 17% while consumption has risen 14%. We now import 
56% of our oil and that number is growing rapidly. DOE predicts that by 
2020 we will import 65% of our oil. Guess which country has benefited 
the most from the Administration's energy policy? As unbelievable as 
this seems it's Iraq. Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Iraq is now our fastest 
growing source for oil. How can we be administering a policy that 
strengthens this dictator's grip on our economy and the Middle East?
  The bill I introduced today would require the President of the United 
States to cut off foreign aid and arms sales to countries engaged in 
oil price fixing.
  Specifically, the legislation would require the President to send a 
report to Congress, within 30 days of enactment, detailing the U.S. 
security relationship with each OPEC member and any other major oil 
exporting country; assistance programs and government-supported arms 
sales provided to those countries; and his determination regarding the 
extent each country is engaged in oil price fixing and whether such 
price fixing is detrimental to the U.S. economy.
  The bill would then require the President to reduce, terminate or 
suspend any assistance or arms sales to the country or countries 
determined to be fixing oil prices.
  In addition, the legislation would require the President to submit a 
report to Congress 90 days after enactment describing the diplomatic 
efforts by the U.S. to convince all major net oil exporting countries 
that current price levels are unsustainable and will cause widespread 
economic harm in oil consuming and developing nations.
  Even if the production quotas put in place last year are lifted, low 
reserves may continue to plunder American consumers and farmers during 
the busy summer vacation and planting seasons. The Clinton 
administration was caught off-guard this year without much of an energy 
policy. Now, the President needs to exercise his authority to help 
solve the problem, which is going to get worse before it gets better.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Smith of 
        New Hampshire, Ms. Snowe, and Mrs. Lincoln):
  S. 2183. A bill to ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur 
radio operators; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.


               THE AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Amateur Radio 
Spectrum Protection Act of 2000. This bill would help preserve the 
amount of radio spectrum allocated to the Amateur Radio Service during 
this era of dramatic change in our telecommunications system. I am 
pleased to introduce this bipartisan measure with my colleagues, 
Senator Collins, Senator Akaka, Senator Bob Smith, Senator Snowe, and 
Senator Lincoln.
  Organized radio amateurs, more commonly known as ``ham'' operators, 
through formal agreements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
the National Weather Service, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and 
other government and private relief services, provide emergency 
communication when regular channels are disrupted by disaster. In 
Idaho, these trained volunteers have performed tasks as various as 
helping to rescue stranded back-country hikers, organizing cleanup 
efforts after the Payette River flooded, and helping the Forest Service 
communicate during major forest fires. In other communities, they

[[Page 2093]]

may be found monitoring tornado touchdowns in the Midwest, helping 
authorities reestablish communication after a hurricane in the Gulf or 
sending ``health and welfare'' messages following an earthquake on the 
West Coast. Not only do they provide these services using their own 
equipment and without compensation, but they also give their personal 
time to participate in regular organized training exercises.
  In addition to emergency communication, amateur radio enthusiasts use 
their spectrum allocations to experiment with and develop new circuitry 
and techniques for increasing the effectiveness of the precious natural 
resource of radio spectrum for all Americans. Much of the electronic 
technology we now take for granted is rooted in amateur radio 
experimentation. Moreover, amateur radio has long provided the first 
technical training for youngsters who grow up to be America's 
scientists and engineers.
  The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) to conduct spectrum auctions to raise revenues. Some 
of that revenue may come from the auction of current amateur radio 
spectrum. This bill simply requires the FCC to provide the Amateur 
Radio Service with equivalent replacement spectrum if it reallocates 
and auctions any of the Service's current spectrum.
  The Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2000 will protect these 
vital functions while also maintaining the flexibility of the FCC to 
manage the nation's telecommunications infrastructure effectively. It 
will not interfere with the ability of commercial telecommunications 
services to seek the spectrum allocations they require. I ask my 
colleagues to join the more than 670,000 U.S. licensed radio amateurs 
in supporting this measure and welcome their co-sponsorship.

                          ____________________