The Interior Appropriations bill has passed the House and Senate, and has moved to conference committee, where the differences between the two versions are being reconciled. The bill now contains a compromise proposal that would replace the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). The compromise would provide 1.8 billion dollars this year and build up to 3 billion dollars by the sixth and final year for many of the programs that would be funded by CARA, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Forest Legacy Program. In comparison, CARA would provide $2.8 billion annually to these programs for 15 years.

The proposal also authorizes grants to states to protect "lands of national significance," like the Highlands, but provides no dedicated funding for these grants.

The final details of the proposal will be decided by the White House and Congressional leadership as they negotiate over spending bills. We must send the message loud and clear that we need long-term, dedicated funding for the programs in CARA, such as LWCF, Forest Legacy, AND funding to protect state lands of national significance like the Highlands.

1. We want CARA, not hollow substitutes!
2. We need funding to protect state lands of national significance like the Highlands

Your Senator(s) and Representative via the Capitol Hill Switchboard
Phone (202) 224-3121 (Members of the conference committee listed below)