Editorial: Don’t impede lands bill

Monday, May 15, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

The Senate should sit up and take notice of the House's overwhelming vote Thursday to pass a landmark conservation bill. By a margin of 315-102, the House approved legislation that would send states billions of dollars to purchase lands so they could create wildlife refuges, parks and recreation areas. The bill also would restore environmentally damaged coastal areas. The money for the legislation would come from the revenue the federal government receives from oil and gas drilling leases. While most of these revenues now go directly into the federal treasury, they instead would be targeted for 15 years for these conservation efforts, creating a $45 billion fund.

The Republican House leadership opposed the bill, but enough Republicans (118) joined with nearly all the Democrats to produce this stunning victory. If this legislation were to become law, Nevada would do well. Of the total $3 billion annual appropriation, fast-growing Nevada, which is in need of more parks and recreation areas, would receive $50.6 million every year to buy more lands. It's too bad that of Nevada's two House members, Shelley Berkeley was the lone vote in favor of the bill. Jim Gibbons, who previously said he was worried that the legislation could be unfair to residents and local governments from rural Nevada, voted against the legislation.

Some critics also sniped that this was "green pork," that the money was too tempting even for conservative members of the House who typically oppose environmental measures. For instance, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who often has fought against environmental legislation, was one of the bill's chief sponsors. Opponents argued Young's support was based cynically on the fact that Alaska would be one of the biggest winners under the bill, getting $163 million annually despite its small population.

While states indeed would receive more money to create parks and recreation areas, it is disingenuous to describe this as "green pork." The fact is that there is a genuine need in this nation for more open spaces, and Nevada is no exception. But the bill will face a difficult test in the Senate, as Western Republicans are expected to try to derail the legislation, possibly by adding amendments that would effectively gut the legislation. It is hoped, though, that this bill escapes unscathed and is sent to President Clinton, who already has said he would sign the House bill into law.