New conservation plan announced

Lake Tahoe, NV

Calling it a time to build "conservation partnerships," Texas Governor and Presidential candidate George W. Bush recently proposed a five-point plan to provide resources for conservation and encourage more Americans to take an active role in protecting natural resources and wildlife. "Since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, there has been a consensus that Americans have a common interest in protecting our natural lands and watersheds," Governor Bush said during a ceremony at Sand Harbor State Park. "As President, I will speak for that great national goal. It is our duty to use the lands well, and sometimes not to use them at all. It is our responsibility as citizens, but more than that it is our calling as stewards of the earth."

"We have a national consensus," Governor Bush continued. "But problems arise when leaders reject partnership, and rely solely on the power of Washington - on regulations, penalties, and dictation from afar. The federal government and the states, local communities and private landowners must respect and work with one another to preserve our natural heritage to provide flexibility, decentralization and positive incentives to involve more Americans in the responsibility of conservation."

To provide resources for conservation and encourage more Americans to take an active role in protecting natural resources and wildlife, Governor Bush proposed to: Fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide 50 percent for state and local conservation efforts; Provide matching grants for states to establish a Landowner Incentive Program to help private landowners protect rare species while engaging in traditional land management practices, and establish a Private Stewardship Grant Program to provide funding for private conservation initiatives; Establish the President's Awards for Private Stewardship to recognize and honor the best examples of private conservation; Create a tax incentive to provide capital gains tax relief for private landowners who voluntarily sell their land for conservation purposes; Eliminate the estate tax, which will make it easier for private landowners to pass their land intact to the next generation.