I have serious reservations about this legislation and I can not support it as currently drafted. While the goals of protecting and preserving land are certainly commendable, this Bill just has too many problems.
1. On the Budget side, we should not be taking $3 Billion dollars off-budget. It is not fiscally responsible. This bill creates a mandatory program in which $2.4 billion is spent with no oversight by Congress through the appropriations process.
2. The Bill is primarily concerned with acquiring new land. It does nothing to address the maintenance backlog on existing National Parks and other Federal lands which is estimated at $15 Billion. In fact it will make the problem worse since we will not be able to afford the maintenance on the new lands purchased.
3. Property rights for private citizens are not protected. The few protections that are there only apply to $450 million of the total $3 billion per year, and in fact Title 4 actually repeals some existing property rights protections involving condemnations in urban areas.
4. The Federal government already owns and controls too much land, particularly out West. Overall the Federal government owns over 30% of all land, and that does not include States or local governments.
5. Finally, while I understand that states and localities will receive funds for projects, it should be noted that the federal governments will have a dramatically increased role in local decision making. Cara requires the federal government to review and approve most of the plans the states submit for the use of CARA funds. I have serious concerns with the federal government making planning decisions for Oklahoma.
I hope this Bill does not come before the Senate in its current form. There are too many budget problems and we would be trampling on the rights of individual property owners. I look forward to the testimony.