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Interior Spending Bill Moves through Congress Headed for a Veto Threat by the White House

From the National Recreation and Park Association

On June 27 the House of Representatives passed the Interior, Environment & Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, totaling $27.6 billion. The spending bill provides substantial funding increases to discretionary conservation programs, including $50 million for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance (an increase of $20 million); $152 million for Federal LWCF (an increase of $37 million); $63 million for Forest Legacy; and $85 million for State Wildlife Grants (the largest appropriation since 2002). The bill provided no funds for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPARR), but did include language in the bill report referencing the need for NPS to continue to monitor UPARR projects to prevent conversions to other uses.

In other developments on this bill last week, House Democrats stymied Republican attacks on earmarks and attempts to enact across-the-board cuts. However, the President is threatening to veto the bill because the bill increases spending over 4% above last year, exceeding White House-declared spending limits. Democrats assert that in recent years the agencies covered under this bill, notably the Department of Interior and EPA, have been consistently under funded, so much so that it is equivalent to a cut of more than 15% for the past 5 years. Overall, this bill increases Interior spending by $262 million compared to last year.

The House bill also provides $50 million in initial matching funds for private donations to the NPS centennial challenge. President Bush's initiative calls for $1 billion in mandatory spending over ten years in cooperation with corporations, friends' organizations, and donations. Congress will then match these contributions "dollar for dollar".

Two attempts to roll back sections of the oil and gas drilling moratorium in the outer continental shelf were defeated. One amendment, by Rep. John Peterson (R-PA,) would have allowed only natural gas drilling 25 miles offshore. The other, amendment offered by Rep. Mike Conaway, (R-TX) would have re-opened offshore oil and gas leases in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Ocean.

In the Senate, Full Committee on Appropriations reported the FY 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill on June 21, 2007. The Senate bill, however, was allocated at about $500 million less than the House version. The Senate provided $30 million for LWCF state assistance, $152 million for Federal LWCF, $48 million for Forest Legacy, and $72 million for State and Tribal Wildlife grants. As in the House bill, no funds were provided to urban parks. This Appropriations bill will be considered by the full Senate after the July 4th recess. Similar to the House, the Senate bill also provides $50 million in initial matching funds for private donations to the NPS centennial challenge.

Advocates for increased funding for LWCF were chagrined to see that the Senate Appropriations bill had $20 million less than the House bill for the LWCF state assistance program. These differing amounts must be reconciled in a conference committee, so there is one remaining chance to encourage Congress to do the right thing. Advocates should contact their Senators and urge them to match the House funding levels for LWCF state assistance at $50 million. You may be connected to your Senators' offices through the Capitol Switchboard 202-887-0290, once connected, ask for the staff that handles Interior Appropriations. Please contact Michael Phillips mphillips@nrpa.org or 202-887-0290 for further assistance.

For additional information contact NRPA Public Policy at 202-887-0290, or email mphillips@nrpa.org.

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