Mitch Landrieu: “today I rise to introduce perhaps the most significant conservation effort ever considered by the Congress. The…”

“today I rise to introduce perhaps the most significant conservation effort ever considered by the Congress. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act, CARA, is bipartisan landmark legislation that makes a multi-year commitment to conservation programs benefitting all 50 States. It reinvests revenues earned from the depletion of a nonrenewable asset, oil and gas reserves on the Outer Continent Shelf, for the protection and enhancement of our natural and cultural heritage, threatened coastal areas and wildlife. It also reinvests in our local communities and our children through enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities. By enacting CARA, we can ensure that this century begins with the most significant commitment of resources to conservation ever. During the 106th Congress the House of Representatives passed almost identical legislation by an overwhelming vote of 315 to 102 and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported a version with the support of the Chairman and Ranking Member. In addition, a bipartisan group of 63 Senators sent a letter to Majority Leader Lott and Minority Leader Daschle on September 19, 2000 requesting that CARA be brought to the floor of the Senate for consideration before the adjournment of the 106th Congress. Just last week the House Committee on Resources reported the bill by a vote of 29 to 12 and it currently has two-hundred and thirty nine co-sponsors.”