A Permanent Lands Legacy for America

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
LASTING PROTECTION FOR AMERICA'S LANDS LEGACY
February 7, 2000

President Clinton's FY 2001 budget will propose a record $1.4 billion to protect land and coastal resources -- and will seek dedicated funding at this level each and every year to ensure continued efforts to preserve America's natural heritage. This proposed Lands Legacy funding would provide significant new resources to states and communities to protect wildlife and local green spaces, support federal efforts to save natural and historic treasures, and expand efforts to protect ocean and coastal resources.

Making our Lands Legacy Permanent. President Clinton secured $652 million in FY 2000 for the Lands Legacy initiative, a 42 percent increase. For FY 2001, the President is proposing $1.4 billion, the largest one-year investment ever in conserving America's lands. The President also is proposing a new budget category to preserve this higher level of funding in future years. More than half the funding would support state and local conservation efforts. Specific appropriations within the $1.4 billion cap would be decided each year. These dedicated funds could not be spent on purposes other than Lands Legacy, and if funds are not appropriated in any given year, the cap would rise by a corresponding amount the next year. This would create a lasting endowment future generations can draw on to protect precious land and coastal resources.

Helping Communities Protect Wildlife and Open Space. This year, Lands Legacy is providing $141 million to state, local, and tribal governments to help protect wildlife and local green spaces. In FY 2001, the President is proposing $521 million, almost four times current funding. Priorities include:

Saving Natural and Historic Treasures. In FY 2001, the President is proposing $450 million, a 7 percent increase, for federal land acquisitions. Priorities include:

Providing Special Assistance to Coastal Areas. The President is proposing $429 million, a 159 percent increase, for programs that protect ocean and coastal resources, including:

Other priorities include $159 million to states to protect, restore, and revitalize coastal areas; $35 million, a 38 percent increase, to protect and expand national marine sanctuaries; $15 million, a 150 percent increase, to protect and rebuild coral reefs; and $20 million for estuary research.

Click here to return to the Overview of the President's FY 2001 Environmental Budget Priorities

 




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