U.S. Senate Approves Interior Conference Report
October 5, 2000

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today approved the FY 2001 Interior Appropriations conference report that includes funding for a number of important projects in California.

These include $10.67 million for Lake Tahoe, $2.4 million for fuel reduction activities in the Sequoia National Monument and direction to the U.S. forest service to give local companies priority to complete work under the Sequoia provision. The bill also includes $120 million in emergency funds to address the dangerous build-up of forest fuels on forest service lands, including the Tahoe, Quincy and other Sierra Nevada National Forests.

“California’s natural resources are at risk from a potentially catastrophic forest fire,” Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said. “This funding is an important step toward reducing the risk from forest fire and restoring our forest’s and lakes to a more pristine condition.”

“Furthermore, I am pleased that this legislation includes money for a Manzanar visitor’s center. This will be a reminder to all Americans of the pain and suffering that we can inflict upon each other.”

Specifically, the Senate approved the following provisions for California:

• $10.67 million for projects in Lake Tahoe;
• $24 million of funding for the Quincy Library Group Project;
• $3 million for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge;
• $1 million for Stay Mountain;
• $2 million for Potrero Creek;
• $1 million for the Santa Rosa Mountains;
• $1 million for Central Valley and Southern California Habitat Conservation Plans – This will help the Fish and Wildlife Service assist with the development of these plans in Kern, Sacramento and Riverside Counties;
• 2 million for the Angeles National Forest;
• $3 million for the Los Padres National Forest (Big Sur);
• $2 million for Santa Monica Mountains;
• $3 million for the Pacific Crest Trail;
• $2.5 million for the San Bernardino National Forest;
• $5.1 million for the Manzanar visitors center;
• $36 million for the Elk Hills settlement – These are proceeds from the sale of the Elk Hills Petroleum Reserve and go into the California Teachers Retirement Plan;
• $33.4 million for the continued operation of the Presidio Trust.

Senator Feinstein requested this funding and provisions as part of her role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The conference report passed the Senate by a margin of 83 - 13.

The legislation also includes a provision establishing a six-year Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement program beginning in FY 2001. The program will provide $12 billion over the next six years for land conservation and other environmental programs. This compromise was negotiated between the White House and senior appropriations leadership.

"I am happy the conference was able to take the first steps toward dedicating funding for conservation efforts,” Senator Feinstein said. “Like many others, I remain supportive of the original Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) and am disappointed that it does not appear that this bill will pass this year.

“Nevertheless, this compromise will provide significant financial assistance to California for federal land acquisition, wildlife protection and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and I remain hopeful that CARA will pass next year."