WASHINGTON, DC 2000- The US House of Representatives made history today when it voted 315-102 to pass the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA, H.R. 701), sponsored by Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and George Miller (D-CA). The landmark bipartisan legislation, which now awaits Senate action, provides the largest infusion of funds for conservation in our nation's history, $44 billion over the next 15 years, will go mostly to state and local wildlife, parks, coastal and other conservation programs. In some states this will almost double federal funding to states for wildlife conservation.
"This is one of the biggest victories for wildlife in the last 100 years," stated David Waller, President of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) and Director of the Georgia Division of Wildlife Resources. "By providing state fish and wildlife agencies with $350 million each year, it creates a safety net for the nation's imperiled wildlife and the habitat they depend on. For wildlife, this is on par with the establishment of the social security system."
Currently, more than 85 percent of America's fish and wildlife have no dedicated funding to help detect early signs of decline and prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. Consequently, hundreds of species have gone unnoticed until they have reached critically low numbers and require emergency care through the Endangered Species Act. The wildlife funding in HR 701 will help wildlife agencies get ahead of the curve and prevent further species from becoming endangered at far less cost without the social and economic disruption associated with listing species.
"Never before in our nation's history has Congress passed such far-reaching and comprehensive conservation funding legislation," said R. Max Peterson, Executive Vice President of IAFWA. "We thank the House of Representatives for listening to the people of this country. It is now up to the Senate to act to ensure a conservation legacy for future generations of Americans."
All across America, conservation leaders, youth sports groups, state fish and wildlife agencies, and elected officials including all 50 Governors and municipal leaders have been urging Congress to pass this bill. Over 4500 organizations and officials are on record supporting the permanent conservation funding in CARA, including the Teaming with Wildlife coalition which has been critical to the success of this vote.
"This bill will touch every single American in every part of the nation. Whether you live in the city or the country, whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, soccer player or one of many Americans that flocks to the beach every summer. Everyone will truly benefit from this bill, " stated Naomi Edelson, Teaming with Wildlife Director.
CARA now awaits action in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where a vote is scheduled for June 14th to consider companion bills introduced by Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Landrieu (D-LA). President Clinton has publicly signaled his support for CARA.
"The stars are lined up for this bill's passage this year" stated David Waller.
HR 701 would reinvest $3 billion annually in federal Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas revenue back into natural resources conservation through the following programs:
$1 billion State Coastal Impact Assistance and Conservation (Title I)
$900 million Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Revitalization (state formula and federal) (Title II)
$350 million State-Level Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Fund (Title III)
$125 million Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) (state grants) (Title IV)
$100 million Historic Preservation Fund (state grants and federal) (Title V)
$200 million Federal and Indian Lands Restoration (Title VI)
$150 million Conservation Easements & Species Recovery (federal) (Title VII)
$200 million Payment In-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Refuge Revenue Sharing
For additional information on HR 701 including a state-by-state breakdown of wildlife funding available under this legislation, visit www.teaming.com or www.house.gov/resources/ocs or contact IAFWA at Tel: (202) 624-7890. To receive IAFWA news releases and tip sheets online, email
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The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, founded in 1902, is a quasi-governmental organization serving all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies in the protection and management of North America's fish
and wildlife.