Spring 2001 Table of Contents

Whatever happened to CARA?

A year ago you read here that the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), which would provide fish and wildlife conservation efforts the largest infusion of federal funds in history using revenue from current offshore oil leases, had passed out of committee and to the floor of the House.

The bad news since is that CARA did not pass out of Congress. The good news is that some elements of the bill were passed in two appropriations bills.

One was an Interior Appropriation that has some CARA-like provisions, including $50 million for wildlife projects that states , including Washington, can compete for during fiscal year 2001 (starting July 1.) The other is the Commerce, Justice and Safety (CJS) Appropriation that provides a one-time only allocation of $996,614 to Washington state for wildlife conservation and restoration.

Compared to the $35 million annually that Washington might potentially have received under the original bill, the new funding is definitely “CARA-lite.” But it’s still a boost that WDFW wildlife program managers are moving quickly to secure for eco-regional comprehensive planning, recovering wildlife-at-risk, watchable wildlife recreation and education, habitat protection, and other needs.

Meanwhile the coalition of state agencies and organizations that brought CARA this far are re-grouping to press for more long-term funding for wildlife.

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