Tammy Baldwin: “I wish to lend my voice in support of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), H.R. 701. My district is one of the…”

“I wish to lend my voice in support of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), H.R. 701. My district is one of the most beautiful places in the Nation. In fact, protecting the beauty of Wisconsin and the nation is what prompted former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to come up with the concept of Earth Day 30 years ago. My district also has some of the most productive farmland in the Nation. But this fertile soil, and the family farms that are the backbone of Wisconsin's rural economy, are being overrun by development and sprawl. CARA will provide needed funding to protect these valuable and beautiful areas. Protection of these lands is paramount, for once the land is lost to development, it is very difficult to restore to its natural state. But this bipartisan bill does more than just protect open spaces and farmland. It is a wide ranging measure that will help states improve and maintain parks and recreational areas. It will provide much needed funding for historic preservation and it will help keep plant and animal species from becoming endangered. This bill will provide Wisconsin with over $25 million every year until the year 2015 for these and other vital conservation efforts. The time is now to protect our natural resources for future generations.”