AJR12: Joint Resolution Text

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1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 12

January 21, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Johnsrud, Jensen, Musser, Hasenohrl, J. Lehman, Sykora, Porter, Spillner, Albers, Goetsch, Vrakas, Ward and Montgomery, cosponsored by Senators Clausing, Schultz, Burke, Breske, Cowles and Decker. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR12,1,4 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.

AJR12,1,7 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

AJR12,1,10 Whereas, on October 7, 1998, 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); and

AJR12,1,12 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

AJR12,2,2 Whereas, in their Title I Coastal Impact Assistance sections both bills dedicate 27% or $1.24 billion of annual OCS revenues toward impact assistance that benefits fish and wildlife, and this would amount to $6.8 million for Wisconsin from either bill; and

AJR12,2,6 Whereas, in their Title II Land-based Recreation sections both bills dedicate additional percentages of OCS revenues that would benefit land-based recreation as well as the state and federal sides of the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Wisconsin in the amount of $6.2 million (S. 2566) and $6.9 million (H.R. 4717); and

AJR12,2,10 Whereas, in their Title III Wildlife Conservation and Restoration sections both bills dedicate amounts ($6.3 million or 10% of OCS revenues in H.R. 4717 and $9 million or 7% of OCS revenues in S. 2566) that would be used to fund wildlife conservation and related recreation and education in Wisconsin; and

AJR12,2,16 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

AJR12,2,22 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

AJR12,2,25 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

AJR12,3,5 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 to H.R. 4717 and S. 2566, or similar legislation, in the next Congress that secures similar resources for Wisconsin; and, be it further

AJR12,3,7 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to each member of this state's congressional delegation.

AJR12,3,8 (End)