Douglas Alexander: “today, Senator Landrieu and I are introducing the Americans Outdoors Act of 2004, bipartisan legislation that will…”

“today, Senator Landrieu and I are introducing the Americans Outdoors Act of 2004, bipartisan legislation that will provide nearly $1.5 billion annually to help Americans in every State enjoy the great American outdoors. The Americans Outdoors Act would provide a reliable stream of funding by collecting a conservation royalty on revenues from drilling for oil and gas on offshore Federal land. It would use this conservation royalty to fully fund three existing Federal programs: the so-called State side of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, $450 million annually; wildlife conservation, $350 million annually to fully fund that Federal program; and to fully fund urban parks initiatives, another $125 million. It would also provide an additional $500 million each year for coastal impact assistance, including wetlands protection. In addition, Senator Landrieu and I intend to offer an amendment to our legislation that would fully fund the $450 million per year Federal side of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but only after we have consulted further with our colleagues to develop a consensus. We offer this legislation because there is nothing more central to the American character than the great American outdoors. We offer it because we want to provide a conservation legacy for the next generation. We believe there is a huge conservation majority in America and in the Senate that will support this legislation.”