Office of Conservation

CONSERVATION BILL PASSES U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE, COULD MEAN ALMOST $300 MILLION A YEAR FOR LOUISIANA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) was voted out of the U.S. House Resources Committee yesterday by a vote of 29 to 12. The bill could mean up to $300 million a year for Louisiana and would go far to restore the state's coastal wetlands, disappearing at the staggering rate of 35 square miles a year.

CARA establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund to be used for Federal and state coastal conservation, wildlife and recreation projects. The bill would reinvest $3.1 billion a year in offshore oil and gas revenues into coastal conservation and impact assistance, state-based wildlife conservation, historic preservation, urban parks and recreation, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

CARA also strengthens the rights of private property owners, an issue of concern for many Western Members of Congress by giving states more flexibility and control of how public lands are acquired and used. State and local officials will decide whether funds are used for improving wetlands, enhancing recreational areas or building city parks and playgrounds.

Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Jack Caldwell said, "We've reached another landmark with this victory in the House Resources Committee and we praise the efforts of Congressman Billy Tauzin who sits on that committee and who has worked so hard on this legislation.

"All of the Louisiana delegation has been supportive of CARA, with Congressmen Tauzin and Chris John and Senators Mary Landrieu and John Breaux leading the charge. Without their tireless efforts, we would never have gotten this far," Caldwell said.

CARA passed the full U.S. House of Representatives last year by an overwhelming majority and passed the U.S. Senate Energy Committee. The bill is set to be re-introduced next week in the Senate by Senator Landrieu.

Editors: For more information, contact the Louisiana DNR at 225- 342-8955.