The U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee held a hearing today on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 701), announcing that 223 representatives are co-sponsoring the bill.

The Conservation and Reinvestment Act, also known as CARA, proposes to reinvest a portion of the revenues from federal offshore oil and gas for state-based wildlife conservation, coastal conservation and impact assistance, historic preservation, urban parks and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

"The fact that more than half of the representatives have signed on as co-sponsors almost guarantees a big win for CARA in the House," said Robert McDowell, president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and director of New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. "This kind of support will not only spell victory in the House, but will spur the Senate and Administration to action as well. CARA is a bipartisan, consensus-built, common-sense approach to conservation that makes good economic sense, good common sense and good political sense."

Congressman Jim Hansen, R-Utah, the chairman of the House Resource Committee said CARA is one of the most significant pieces of legislation the committee will take up this year.

"Chairman Hansen has a strong commitment to wildlife and to state-based decision making," said R. Max Peterson, executive vice president of IAFWA. "He understands the need for wildlife conservation funding and the critical nature of our current situation, as do Congressmen Nick Rahall, D-W. Va., Don Young, R-Alaska, Billy Tauzin, R-La., John Dingell, D-Mich., George Miller, D-Ca., Chris John, D-La., and others who are championing CARA. We salute and support their efforts to bring this funding to the states, where it can make a long-lasting difference."

Congressman Don Young, former chairman of the Resource Committee and primary sponsor of CARA said, "I am pleased that the Resources Committee is taking early action on CARA in the 107th Congress. CARA's funding will be used to benefit our nation's lands, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. The broad support this bill enjoys is evident in 223 bipartisan cosponsors and counting, which is over half the House, guaranteeing the bill?s passage."

David Waller, past president of the IAFWA and director of the Georgia Division of Wildlife Resources, called on the committee to take fast action on scheduling a mark-up of CARA.

"We'd like to see a vote on the House floor this summer so that we can move on to the Senate," Waller said. "We have the expertise, we have the will, and with assured funding from CARA, we will have the resources to duplicate our successes, which make our system of fish and wildlife conservation the model which other countries seek to emulate."

CARA would annually provide $3.1 billion, of which $350 million would be dedicated to state wildlife programs through Title III. States need this funding to reverse alarming declines in wildlife species before they become endangered.

These funds are expected to save taxpayers money by avoiding the high costs of recovery efforts. They will also assure an economic future for nature-based tourism and the outdoor recreation industry.

Congress first recognized and acted on the need for state-level wildlife conservation funding in 1937 with passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act and again in 1950 with the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Act to provide assured funding to the states for game and sportfish species. CARA will almost double current federal funding for state-based wildlife conservation, recreation and education.

"Back in the 1950s, my father recognized the need for adequate and dependable funding for fish and wildlife conservation by authoring the Sportfish Restoration (Dingell-Johnson) Act," said Congressman John Dingell, D-Mich. "Since that time, the needs have grown tremendously. I am pleased to support CARA, in particular the $350 million for state wildlife conservation."

CARA has generated tremendous support from across the nation culminating in an unprecedented coalition of more than 6,000 organizations, businesses, and elected officials including governors, mayors, and county officials. This support led to CARA passing the House by an overwhelming 3:1 majority last year. However, in spite of a letter signed by 63 senators urging Senate action, CARA was stalled before reaching the Senate floor. Today's House hearing is the first legislative action to occur in the 107th Congress.

For more information on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2001 including a copy of IAFWA testimony provided today at the hearing or additional information on state wildlife funding needs, visit www.sso.org/iafwa or www.teaming.com or contact IAFWA at (202) 624-7890.

For bill summary and status, including a list of current CARA cosponsors, visit the Library of Congress Web site (http://thomas.loc.gov).

The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), founded in 1902 by wildlife managers from just six states, now represents all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as the provincial and federal government in Canada and Mexico. IAFWA acts as a collective voice for the agencies charged with managing and protecting wildlife.