Trent Lott: “today Senator Chafee, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has introduced legislation to…”

“today Senator Chafee, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has introduced legislation to reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. I support the Foundation and the activities it undertakes to further conservation and management of our nation's fish and wildlife resources. Created by Congress in 1984, the Foundation has forged a strong relationship between government and corporate stakeholders, fostering cooperation and coordination. It has been successful in bringing private sector involvement, initiative and technology to bear in solving conservation problems. With this reauthorization, the Foundation's record of providing real on-the-ground conservation will continue. Mr. President, all federal money appropriated to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation must be matched by contributions from non-federal sources: corporations, State and local government agencies, foundations and individuals. The Foundation's operating policy is to raise a match of at least 2 to 1, to maximize leverage for our federal funds. With the financial assistance of the private sector and the technical knowledge of the States, the Foundation can be both effective and responsive to conservation needs. All of the Foundation's projects are peer reviewed by agency staff, state resource officials, and other professionals in the natural resource field. No project is undertaken without the input and support of the local community and state interests.”