[ed note: As dependable Rob seems a bit late on this one, I figure I'll step forth...]
In New Mexico, Clark will promote a bold new environmental policy. He wants to establish a $2.2 billion Conservation Leadership Trust Fund. The fund is primarily financed by oil and gas royalties from drilling on public lands.
The Trust Fund will help governments protect and maintain public land, historic places, and neighborhood parks. State and local governments can draw from the fund to strengthen schools and clean drinking water in rural communities.
"George W. Bush has waged a stealth attack on our environment," Clark said. "Protecting the environment for our children and grandchildren is a true American value. In my White House, conservation will be the core of our environmental policy."
More from the Clark site:
Wes Clark will establish a $2.2 billion Conservation Leadership Trust Fund primarily funded through oil and gas royalties generated from drilling on the outer continental shelf. This fund will provide money to federal, state and local governments for land conservation, historic places, protecting public lands, maintenance and repair, recreational facilities for the benefit of all Americans, and strengthening schools and clean drinking water in rural communities. Among other uses, these resources will establish or enhance 4,000 neighborhood parks - 1,000 parks a year for the next Presidential term.
Wes Clark believes that all Americans should have the chance to enjoy our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Wes Clark will work to protect more wilderness for our children and grandchildren. Today, as a result of urban sprawl, development and budget crises in state and local governments, America faces an irreversible loss of open space, wildlife, city ball parks, wild lands and cultural treasures.
We know how to solve this problem. In 1964 Congress passed a bipartisan and visionary program called the Land and Water Conservation Fund to create parks, playgrounds, wilderness, bike paths and hiking trails. Land and Water Conservation Fund projects have helped preserve some of America's great places such as the Cape Cod National Seashore, Everglades National Park and Olympic National Park. Other conservation programs have provided states and local governments with the funds needed to build baseball diamonds, save wetlands, and preserve historic buildings.
While we know what is needed, President Bush has broken his promises. President Bush promised to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but last year he proposed instead to cut this fund. Congress agreed, appropriating less than half the amount of money the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was supposed to have received. In order to look like he is keeping his promises, President Bush has reclassified many existing programs, saying they are actually funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund. But we know better--he is not fully funding the LWCF. Wes Clark's proposal would not only restore the necessary funding but also remove conservation funding from the uncertainty of the year-to-year discretionary budget process, facilitating a consistent and long-term approach to conservation. For once, Americans will be guaranteed that Congress won't be able to divert the money that is supposed to protect America's resources.
Read more specifics of the plan at www.clark04.com.