By: Brown S.C.R. No. 66 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Generations of Texans, from timber harvesters in the 1-2 east to cattle ranchers in the west, have always known that good 1-3 stewardship of the land is the smartest and simplest way to ensure 1-4 that the valuable natural resources that fuel our economy are 1-5 renewed and protected for the future; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Among our many natural resources, Texas wetlands are 1-7 one of the most extensive and valuable; they provide the link 1-8 between land and water and are present throughout the state; and 1-9 WHEREAS, These unique ecosystems are recognized for the many 1-10 benefits they provide to both the environment and the economy, 1-11 including the control of flood and erosion, water purification and 1-12 groundwater recharge, fish and wildlife habitat, commercial fishing 1-13 and hunting opportunities, and areas for recreation and nature 1-14 tourism; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Current estimates indicate that Texas has lost over 1-16 half of its original wetlands as a consequence of our state's 1-17 growing need for food, fiber, housing, and industrial development; 1-18 while meeting these needs is essential to maintaining the economic 1-19 health of Texas, wetlands are now recognized as having inherent 1-20 ecological and financial benefits that warrant action to protect, 1-21 preserve, and renew these areas; and 1-22 WHEREAS, With 97 percent of all land in the state owned and 1-23 controlled by private landowners, their input and participation is 2-1 absolutely essential for successful conservation efforts; rather 2-2 than burdening landowners with additional regulations, state 2-3 agencies have sought to establish an ongoing partnership and 2-4 dialogue with private citizens to create new and innovative methods 2-5 for wetlands management; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, drafted by the 2-7 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, presents a nonregulatory, 2-8 voluntary approach to conserving wetlands in this state; 2-9 formulation of the plan brought groups representing diverse 2-10 interests together to create solutions to problems, including 2-11 education, economic incentives, conservation, private ownership, 2-12 and governmental relations; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Under the leadership of the Texas Parks and Wildlife 2-14 Department, the conservation plan was developed and supported by 2-15 such governmental agencies as the Texas General Land Office, the 2-16 Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Texas Forest 2-17 Service, the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Agricultural 2-18 Extension Service, the Texas Department of Transportation, the 2-19 Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas State Soil and Water 2-20 Conservation Board, the United States Department of Agriculture's 2-21 Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the United States Fish 2-22 and Wildlife Service; and 2-23 WHEREAS, The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan also was 2-24 developed and supported by the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas 2-25 Chemical Council, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers 3-1 Association, Champion International Corporation, the Texas 3-2 Utilities Service, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, International 3-3 Paper, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas Rural 3-4 Development Council, the Big Thicket Association, the Wetland 3-5 Habitat Alliance of Texas, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy 3-6 of Texas, and the Texas Committee on Natural Resources; and 3-7 WHEREAS, Public input was also solicited from private 3-8 landowners, and notice of the plan's availability for public review 3-9 and comment was advertised in the Texas Register, the Texas Review 3-10 and Comment System, the Parks and Wildlife Department's Internet 3-11 site, and in more than 40 special interest newsletters around the 3-12 state; and 3-13 WHEREAS, The extensive formulation process of the Texas 3-14 Wetlands Conservation Plan over the last three years has 3-15 incorporated the views and suggestions of all affected parties, and 3-16 the plan itself is a common sense approach for managing wetlands 3-17 across the state through voluntary conservation efforts; now, 3-18 therefore, be it 3-19 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-20 hereby support the implementation of the Texas Wetlands 3-21 Conservation Plan; and, be it further 3-22 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 3-23 copy of this resolution to the members of the Parks and Wildlife 3-24 Commission and the executive director of the Texas Parks and 3-25 Wildlife Department.