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.

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