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0 Title I of the bill, provides 270% of the annual revenues to ALL coastal states and tcmtorics, not just those states that "host' federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas development. Florida stands to gain approximately 585.500,000 (based on MMS estimated revenues) in Title I Coastal Impact Assistance. Title Il is the Land and Water Conservation Fund of which Florida would receive over Sl 1.000.000 approximately, and Title III is for wildlife initiatives of which Florida Council for Conservation and Reinvestment of Outer Continental Shelf Revenues Department of Natural Resources • Office of the Secretary • P.O. Box 94396 • Baton Rouge. Louisiana 70804-9396 Louisiana ohone 225-342.2710 or 225-342-4844 • Washington. D.C. phone 202-298-1920 Louisiana fax 225.342-3442 • www.00Srovenue.org • Washmoon. D.C. fax 202-338.2416 Commissioner Ginn made a MOTION TO DENY the request. She had read the resolution and supporting documents and could not support this. She wanted to make crystal clear her opposition to H.R. 701 which she felt is not about providing just compensation. She noted that the backup materials said this would make some people whole who had been injured. She believed those who feel they have been injured should seek satisfaction from our court system. She emphasized that the United States Constitution, Article I, Paragraph 17, limits the government's ability to own land as our founding fathers knew too much power in federal government and agencies could lead to a loss of freedoms. She stated that enormous tracts of land would be taken off the tax rolls while the monies would be made available to the Secretary of Agriculture. She believed that 40% of all lands are controlled by the government, with more being added year after year and public access being increasingly diminished. She felt that this would become a new "entitlement", establishing a fund to meet the outdoor needs of the American people "and for other purposes" which are not listed. States would be required to match funds and local level governments would have to submit a plan to be approved by the Governor. If the Governor does not approve the plan, the funds would be held in escrow until an approval is received. This plan reeks of special interests and is an additional level of bureaucracy and a tax on private property ownership. Chairman Macht ruled that Commissioner Ginn's MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Commissioner Adams commented that she felt there was a lot of benefit to putting lands aside. She believed that ifwe don't take measures to protect our resources, particularly water, in 50 years it will be too late. She understood Commissioner Ginn's concerns but did not share them and she did support the request. Commissioner Stanbridge believed that the monies are not just for the purpose of buying lands, but also to protect our air and water quality, as well as our fish and wildlife. She saw this project as a funding source to implement projects to protect the lands we already have. She noted that there are 92 supporters in the Senate. JUNE 159 1999 • -31- BOOK iU FAGE U