U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) announces that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation dedicating $2.85 billion in federal oil drilling royalties for federal and state environmental, land purchase, historical, and recreation programs. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) is bipartisan legislation which will fund many neglected and long under-funded conservation and parks programs, including coastal stewardship, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, urban park and forestry programs, historic preservation, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), national park and Indian lands restoration, conservation easements, and the Youth Conservation Corps. Hawaii will receive $40.2 million for programs for conservation, wildlife and park programs.
Under CARA, funds from nonrenewable resources are invested in natural resources for the future. Revenues from oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf will fund conservation and wildlife programs without further appropriations. Money for federal land acquisition projects would have to be approved through the appropriations process.
"This landmark conservation bill will bring needed resources to Hawaii," Akaka said. "The legislation presents an unparalleled opportunity to champion resource conservation for wildlife, parks, endangered species, historic preservation, urban parks and coastal resources. With funding assured, we can support our renewable resources in a more consistent fashion. I am pleased that the stateside portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund will be fully funded and the coastal stewardship programs will provide needed funding to community-based groups for coral reef conservation projects."
Section 104 of the coastal programs section of the bill (Title I) is modeled after Senator Akaka's coral reef protection initiative (S. 1888). Senator Akaka worked to include a strong coastal stewardship title in the bill, including much-needed funding for coral reef resources. The bill allocates $25 million for coral reef preservation to be divided between the Interior and Commerce Departments. It is estimated that Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa would receive over $11 million for reef preservation.
Funds are also included in the coastal stewardship title for activities under the Magnuson Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and the National Marine Sanctuary Act. Funding is also provided for fisheries research, management and enforcement. The coastal stewardship title would bring Hawaii $6.4 million in coastal stewardship programs.
Senator Akaka also worked to develop and retain the Wildlife Conservation title in the bill. He secured an increase in minimum threshold funding for small states from one half of one percent to one percent. This increase will bring $3.3 million to Hawaii. This funding is important to help address the severe wildlife problems facing Hawaii, including the threat from nonindigenous species and endangered species. The funds would be administered by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Forestry.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. The House of Representatives passed companion legislation (H.R. 701) on May 11, 2000.
