1-1 By: Brown S.C.R. No. 66 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed April 9, 1997; April 10, 1997, read 1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources; 1-4 April 21, 1997, reported adversely, with favorable Committee 1-5 Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 21, 1997, 1-6 sent to printer.) 1-7 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.C.R. No. 66 By: Brown 1-8 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-9 WHEREAS, Generations of Texans, from timber harvesters in the 1-10 east to cattle ranchers in the west, have always known that good 1-11 stewardship of the land is the smartest and simplest way to ensure 1-12 that the valuable natural resources that fuel our economy are 1-13 renewed and protected for the future; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Among our many natural resources, Texas wetlands are 1-15 one of the most extensive and valuable; they provide the link 1-16 between land and water and are present throughout the state; and 1-17 WHEREAS, These unique ecosystems are recognized for the many 1-18 benefits they provide to both the environment and the economy, 1-19 including the control of flood and erosion, water purification and 1-20 groundwater recharge, fish and wildlife habitat, commercial fishing 1-21 and hunting opportunities, and areas for recreation and nature 1-22 tourism; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Current estimates indicate that Texas has lost over 1-24 half of its original wetlands as a consequence of our state's 1-25 growing need for food, fiber, housing, and industrial development; 1-26 while meeting these needs is essential to maintaining the economic 1-27 health of Texas, wetlands are now recognized as having inherent 1-28 ecological and financial benefits that warrant action to protect, 1-29 preserve, and renew these areas; and 1-30 WHEREAS, With 97 percent of all land in the state owned and 1-31 controlled by private landowners, their input and participation is 1-32 absolutely essential for successful conservation efforts; rather 1-33 than burdening landowners with additional regulations, state 1-34 agencies have sought to establish an ongoing partnership and 1-35 dialogue with private citizens to create new and innovative methods 1-36 for wetlands management; and 1-37 WHEREAS, The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, drafted by the 1-38 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, presents a nonregulatory, 1-39 voluntary approach to conserving wetlands in this state; 1-40 formulation of the plan brought groups representing diverse 1-41 interests together to create solutions to problems, including 1-42 education, economic incentives, conservation, private ownership, 1-43 and governmental relations; and 1-44 WHEREAS, Under the leadership of the Texas Parks and Wildlife 1-45 Department, the conservation plan was developed and supported by 1-46 such governmental agencies as the Texas General Land Office, the 1-47 Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Texas Forest 1-48 Service, the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Agricultural 1-49 Extension Service, the Texas Department of Transportation, the 1-50 Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas State Soil and Water 1-51 Conservation Board, the United States Department of Agriculture's 1-52 Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the United States Fish 1-53 and Wildlife Service; and 1-54 WHEREAS, The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan also was 1-55 developed and supported by the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas 1-56 Chemical Council, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers 1-57 Association, Champion International Corporation, the Texas 1-58 Utilities Service, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, International 1-59 Paper, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas Rural 1-60 Development Council, the Big Thicket Association, the Wetland 1-61 Habitat Alliance of Texas, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy 1-62 of Texas, and the Texas Committee on Natural Resources; and 1-63 WHEREAS, Public input was also solicited from private 1-64 landowners, and notice of the plan's availability for public review 2-1 and comment was advertised in the Texas Register, the Texas Review 2-2 and Comment System, the Parks and Wildlife Department's Internet 2-3 site, and in more than 40 special interest newsletters around the 2-4 state; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The extensive formulation process of the Texas 2-6 Wetlands Conservation Plan over the last three years has 2-7 incorporated the views and suggestions of all affected parties, and 2-8 the plan itself is a common sense approach for managing wetlands 2-9 across the state through voluntary conservation efforts; now, 2-10 therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby support the implementation of the Texas Wetlands 2-13 Conservation Plan; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 2-15 copy of this resolution to the members of the Parks and Wildlife 2-16 Commission and the executive director of the Texas Parks and 2-17 Wildlife Department. 2-18 * * * * *