1999 Assembly Joint Resolution 12
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: urging the members of the Wisconsin delegation to the U. S. Congress to support proposed federal legislation that would provide revenues to Wisconsin from the development of oil and natural gas resources on the outer continental shelf.
Whereas, each year the federal government receives billions of dollars in revenues from the development of oil and natural gas resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS), a capital asset of this nation; and
Whereas, during the 105th Congress, companion bills were introduced in the U.S. house of representatives (H.R. 4717, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1998) and the U.S. senate (S. 2566, the Reinvestment and Environmental Act of 1998) that would provide additional revenue to Wisconsin for conservation purposes; and
Whereas, Wisconsin is a coastal state within the meaning of that term, as defined in the bills, because it borders Lake Superior and Lake Michigan; and
Whereas, these bills have the potential to provide coastal state impact assistance, benefit land-based recreation, support the state and federal sides of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and fund wildlife conservation and related recreation and education in Wisconsin at levels of at least $19 million; and
Whereas, since the early 1970's the department of natural resources has, working through the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), and more recently through the IAFWA-led Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, supported a permanent budget authority mechanism for nongame wildlife modeled after the proven Federal Aid in Wildlife (Pittman-Roberts) and Sport Fish Restoration Program (Dingell-Johnson); and
Whereas, with year 2000 oil and gas revenue estimates of $4.59 billion, the department of natural resources could get additional federal revenues equal to or greater than the current combined Pittman-Roberts and Dingell-Johnson income for a comprehensive wildlife program, and especially for nongame fish and wildlife, allowing for the development of proactive, fully responsive conservation education programs such as Watchable Wildlife; and
Whereas, both bills were introduced with bipartisan sponsorship and with the support of more than 3,000 conservation organizations and related businesses; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature respectfully urge the members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation to support and work to ensure passage of successor legislation that secures similar resources for Wisconsin in the next Congress; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to each member of this state's congressional delegation.
