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Periodically, the folks in TPL’s Federal Affairs department prepare a summary of conservation news from the nation’s capitol. The Washington Watch newsletter is available on the Web or by free email subscription.
Congress Returns
With Congress now returning from its holiday break, this is a good opportunity to update Washington Watch readers on where things stand with land conservation funding and programs. We are heading into the budget and appropriations season and there is still the little matter of climate change legislation hanging in the balance. All this will occur amid continued attention to issues like healthcare, national security, and the economy and with a looming mid-term election in the fall. Details here
FY2011 CELCP Competition Underway
On Tuesday, January 10th, NOAA announced the fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding opportunity notice for the Coastal and Estuarine Lands Protection Program (CELCP) had published in the Federal Register. The funding opportunity notice, which contains details about the competition, the project narrative, and the CELCP checklist, is posted on the Funding Opportunities page of the CELCP website and will also soon be posted on Grants.gov. Project proposals must be submitted to NOAA by 6pm EST on April 9, 2010. Details here
House and Senate Hold Hearings on FLTFA Reauthorization
The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) is a little-known law that has played a significant role in protecting America’s public lands. First enacted in 2000, FLTFA provides a mechanism to use proceeds from the sales or exchanges of public lands to fund acquisitions of inholdings or important edge-holdings of America’s national parks, national forest, national wildlife refuges, and certain units of the Bureau of Land Management. FLTFA has proved to be a vital complementary funding source to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but its future is not yet secure. Details here
Stimulus Bill and Transportation Funding
The House of Representatives last month approved stopgap legislation that would fund surface transportation programs through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. But the legislation – a massive new economic stimulus bill (HR 2847) – barely made it through the House and faces at best an uncertain future in the Senate. So the immediate, mid-term and long-term future of transportation programs remains unknown. Details here
Legislation to Fund Urban Parks Introduced
On October 6, 2009, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (H.R. 3734) was introduced by Rep. Albio Sires (NJ) and 22 cosponsors representing Chicago, New York, Northern New Jersey, Boston, Providence, Memphis, Philadelphia, Birmingham, San Antonio, and Portland OR. H.R. 3734 has been referred to both the House Financial Services and the House Education and Labor Committee, where it will be considered by the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. Details here
Conservation Tax Incentive Expires; Retroactive Extension Likely in 2010
The existing tax incentive for conservation easement donations expired on December 31 without Congress taking action to extend the provision. Supporters of the incentive, however, will continue to press for an extension that would be retroactive to January 1, 2010. Should Congress fail to enact an extension, then donations of conservation easements will be treated the same as other charitable donations, subject to the 30% limit of adjusted gross income with a carryover period of only five years. Details here
