***STOP THE LAME-DUCK CONGRESSIONAL LAND GRAB!*** Action Alert

ConservativeAlerts.com ^ | 11-18-2002 | Staff

[madfly]

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Action Alert

	Stop the Lame-Duck Congressional Land Grab! Tell Your Senators to Put a HOLD on S. 990!

And you thought that the old Congress couldn't do any more damage? Think again.

According to the American Land Rights Association (landrights.org), "just when you thought it was over... the politicians in Washington, DC, at 2:35am, approved a massive new program with NO debate, NO hearings, and NO recorded vote in the House of Representatives. It was approved by 'unanimous consent' with only a handful of members present, on the final day the House was in session for the year."

S. 990, a version of CARA (the Condemnation and Relocation Act), is well-known in conservative circles as a discredited land-grab bill. It had not moved for eleven months, until the dark of night in the wee hours of last Friday morning.

You may recall at the end of 2001, just four days before Christmas, the Senate approved S. 990 at 11:45pm, with only three Senators present, NO debate, NO hearings, NO vote -- just "unanimous consent" on their last night in session for the year, after nearly all Senators had left the Capitol.

This time it was the House of Representatives' turn. It was the last day the House was in session for the year, November 15, 2:35am. Nearly all congressmen had gone home, NO debate, NO hearings, NO vote, just "unanimous consent" and a BILLION dollar enviro-pork-barrel land-grabbing disaster -- S. 990, the "Son of CARA" -- was approved.

This is representative government? It's time for us to take action.

The good news is, the Senate last year, and the House this year, approved DIFFERENT versions of S. 990. So, the bill must go back to the Senate because the House made some changes.

The U.S. Senate will vote Tuesday Nov. 19 or Wednesday Nov. 20 on whether to give final approval to S. 990. Due to the short time available, if only a few Senators object by placing a "hold" on S. 990, then it will not move and will not be considered. In other words, five or six Senators are needed to place a "hold" on S. 990, and that will STOP Congress' midnight land-gram.

Click "Go!" above to contact your Senators NOW and ask them to put a "hold" on S. 990. Because it is the last few days the Senate is in session, a few Senators putting a "hold" on any bill will effectively kill it, since it will delay it till next year.

ANY Senator can stop S. 990 by simply putting what is called a "hold" on the bill. That will delay it until next year. WHOEVER your Senator is, PLEASE contact them. The "conservatives" may not like it because of the land grabs and wasted tax funds, and the "liberals" and Democrats may not like it because it is a big payoff to a couple of retiring Republicans. BOTH shouldn't like it because it never received ANY debate in either the House or the Senate. It was snuck through both houses at the last minute. Click "Go!" above to contact your Senators NOW!

Click here to auto-send your Message at ConservativeAlerts.com

[madfly]

You can send a message to your Senators here,
even if you have already contacted them
on this important issue.

Click here to auto-send your Message at ConservativeAlerts.com

[madfly]

ping

[E.G.C.]

Everybody pay very close attention to this. There's a lot more at stake than you think.

[elenchus]

This sort of phenomenon could not happen if we got our judicial appointments through.

If the conservative agenda is to have a chance of succeeding and if conservative judges are to gain Senate approval, we must preserve a Republican Senate--which is in greater jeopardy than many realize.

For those who understand why the Louisiana election is crucial to retaining the Senate in the face of possible Republican defections by Chafee and McCain, please see the article just posted on:

"How Suzanne Terrell can Defeat Mary Landrieu"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/791117/posts

The link provided to the COMPLETE NBC TRANSCRIPT is incorrect, and should be:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/836275.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you need convincing, also see the post:

Columnist Broder Sees Potential Party Switches by Senators McCain and Chaffee

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/791096/posts

[F.J. Mitchell]

Message sent-BTTT!

[Seeking the truth]

Take a Stand - Protect Your Land 0cents Stamp Products

[The Irishman]

Both Senators e-mailed, both offices called.

Regards.

[madfly]

GReat, bttt

[madfly]

thanks for the link

[madfly]

Bump for liberty

[aShepard]

Here's the deal:

Congressional Legislation

American Wildlife Enhancement Act of 2001

Bill # S.990

Original Sponsor:

Robert Smith (R-NH)

Cosponsor Total: 21

(last sponsor added 12/19/2001)

13 Democrats
1 Independents
7 Republicans

About This Legislation:

This summary has been edited for length

American Wildlife Enhancement Act of 2001 - Title I: Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Programs Improvement - Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Programs Improvement Act - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to include restoration of declining species within conservation.

Title II: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary to: (1) provide financial assistance to any person, including small landowners and conservation organizations, for development and implementation of an endangered and threatened species recovery agreement; (2) review such agreements; (3) enter into approved agreements; and (4) monitor agreement implementation. Requires persons receiving such assistance to: (1) either act or refrain from acting, as appropriate, in a manner which contributes to the recovery of species which are endangered, threatened, or at risk, specifically actions which affect the availability of water; (2) make demonstrable progress; and (3) provide scheduling, monitoring, and notification specifics.

Title III: Non-Federal Land Conservation Grant Program - Amends the Partnerships for Wildlife Act to direct the Secretary to establish a competitive program for grants to States to pay the Federal share of the costs of conservation of non-Federal land or water of regional or national significance. Gives priority to interstate projects which protect ecosystems and are a priority of the State and local communities. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to New Hampshire for the acquisition of conservation easements for certain lands sold by International Paper to the Trust for Public Land. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006.

Title IV: Conservation and Restoration of Shrubland and Grassland - Amends the Partnerships for Wildlife Act to direct the Secretary to establish a conservation assistance program to encourage the conservation and restoration of natural grassland or shrubland that serves as habitat for endangered, threatened, or at risk species. Includes land that was or could be natural grassland or shrubland. Makes landowners, permit holders, or conservation entities including sportsmen's or environmental organizations and land trusts, eligible for such grants. Permits managed grazing, haying or mowing (but not during bird nesting season), fire rehabilitation, and fencing and fire breaks. Prohibits payment under this and other specified conservation acts for the same conservation activity . Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006.

...

[Ben Ficklin]

Senator Smith's June 2001 letter to members of Congress regarding S 990

[madfly]

Thanks for the info

[Stand Watch Listen]

Related Articles

The Immediate Threat to Property Rights [re: Condemnation and Relocation Act - S-990]
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: November 18, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

The Fatal Flaws of CARA: http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/caraflaws.htm

It's Back - CARA COMES CALLING AGAIN

".........WHY are REPUBLICAN Senator Bob Smith of New Hampshire and REPUBLICAN Congressman Jim Hansen of Utah joining together and attempting to push this disaster through at the last minute??

ANSWER: BOTH are leaving Congress this year, and BOTH are in "Legacy Mode." BOTH have buried provisions in S. 990 to give a name for themselves, at the expense of private property and fiscal responsibility.

HERE is the item snuck in for New Hampshire by Senator Bob Smith. Page 19, "Grants to the State of New Hampshire." A NINE million dollar payoff handed over to the Trust for Public Land, to buy property that will only cost SEVEN million dollars!!! A two million dollar profit for a "non-profit" land trust!!!!!!!

UTAH: Jim Hansen is attempting to blow a total of THIRTEEN million dollars of taxpayer funds to glorify himself! On page 49 is two million dollars for the James V. Hansen Shoshone Trail. On page 52 is eleven million dollars for the Bear River Visitor Center to be named after you guessed it - James V. Hansen.............."

S 990 - The American Wildlife Enhancement and Recovery Act

The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee has indicated that it will consider marking up S 990 before they adjourn this year. This legislation, introduced by Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) last July, would provide an authorization of $350 million in funding for state fish and wildlife conservation, a $75 million endangered species recovery assistance program, and a $50 million non-federal land conservation grant program. S 990 does not provide permanent funding and is smaller in scope than CARA, but S 990 would lay a foundation for increased wildlife conservation funding in the Appropriations process. There are currently 6 cosponsors.

Land Grab Act Comes Back - In Congress

S. 990, The American Wildlife Enhancement Act

[madfly]

Thanks, as always, for your great links.

[hsmomx3]

If there is one thing I am sick and tired of seeing/hearing, it is that several unrelated items are tacked on to a bill that have absolutely nothing to do with the title of the bill. I would suggest that Congress pass a law that says only one item per bill, not more than (fill in the blank) pages, and ALL members of Congress must sign a document stating that they have read and agree or disagreed to the bill they are voting on.

[madfly]

CNSNews.com

The Immediate Threat to Property Rights

By Alan Caruba
CNSNews.com Commentary from the National Anxiety Center
November 18, 2002

Americans risk losing the keystone of the economy - their property rights. The Condemnation and Relocation Act (CARA) is on a fast track through Congress, as the Senate prepares to adjourn in a week.

CARA, S-990, is being shepherded toward a vote, and unless Americans contact their Senators now, it is likely to pass as a previous version did -- in the dead of night on nothing more than a voice vote.

S-990 will permit the seizure of private property; provide funding to extremist environmentalists and animal rights advocates; and provide $25 million to foreign nations for land acquisition.

More than 40% of the landmass of the United States is already owned by the federal and state governments. Anyone's property can now be condemned and purchased to advance the extremist environmental plan to return more than 50% of this nation's landmass to "wilderness," prohibiting any use of its natural resources and banning all human habitation.

The history of this discredited legislation began four days before last Christmas when the Senate approved it at 11:45 p.m., with only three Senators present. There was no debate, no hearings on the bill, and no vote. It was given life by nothing more than the "unanimous consent." It has languished for eleven months.

The House of Representatives, on November 15, voted at 2:23 a.m., giving it new life. Again, there was no debate, no hearings, and no vote, just the "unanimous consent" of that chamber, which was empty because nearly all Representatives had gone home. The House is now out of session, but the Senate will remain in session for one more week, until November 2lst.

S-990 adds a new category to the Endangered Species Act. It is called "species at risk" and proposes to provide $150 million per year to "environmental organizations." There is, in addition, no prohibition on animal rights groups who would receive funding to pursue their agenda to destroy property rights through the use of the ESA.

It would provide $50 million per year to states for what it calls "cooperative conservation" for the purpose of "property acquisition." Another $50 million is allocated to acquiring "shrub and grasslands." No one's home, ranch or farm is safe!

If the future of this nation,
its Constitutional protection of private property,
and its economy mean anything to you,
contact your Senator today.
There's only a week left to defeat
this ultimate threat to America.

(Alan Caruba writes "Warning Signs," a weekly column posted at the Internet site of The National Anxiety Center.)

Copyright 2002, Alan Caruba

[madfly]

Another email alert.

From: APCalert

To: apcalert@americanpolicy.org

Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 1:04 PM

Subject: Treachery in the dark of night.Son of CARA is BACK!!!

*********Sledgehammer*********
         ACTION ALERT

www.americanpolicy.org

From the American Policy Center
Tom DeWeese, President

American Policy Center
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 43
Warrenton, VA  20186
540-341-8911
FAX: 540-341-8916
apc@americanpolicy.org

November 18, 2002

Action Alert! Action Alert!


APC is now offering you a quick and easy way to multiply your efforts and
help win more battles!  Simply click
http://www.referralblast.com/rblast.asp?sid=5916 to send this APC Action
Alert to up to TEN of your friends!  It's fast, it's easy, and most of all,
it's extremely effective in KILLING LEFTIST POLICIES!

***Treachery in the dark of night.

Son of CARA is BACK!!!  Your urgent action NEEDED!

Remember last year when the Senate snuck through S. 990, the "Son of CARA"
land grab bill, right before the holidays, when most Senators had gone home
and nobody was paying attention?

Well the House just did the same thing!

Last Friday night, at 2:35 in the morning, when nearly all of Congress had
gone home, the land grabbers snuck through Son of CARA.  NO debate.  NO
hearings.  NO vote.  Simply a "unanimous consent" declaration by a sparse
group of Congressmen in the dark of night.

Again, here is why S. 990 is so controversial, so dangerous, so
anti-American that Congress can't pass it under normal procedure-they have
to sneak it through while America sleeps:

- S. 990 make the Endangered Species Act EVEN WORSE than it already is by
making more un-endangered species eligible for listing.

- S. 990 permits SEIZURE of private property!

- S. 990 hands out big time grant money to green groups and animal rights
wackos-funding the same people you and I fight against every day!

Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) and Rep. Jim Hansen (R-UT) are the main culprits
behind this disaster.  Why?  Because both are leaving Congress after this
year and they want to buy themselves an environmental legacy with YOUR tax
dollars.  S. 990 sends nothing but pork and land grabs to both of their
states.  Property rights be damned!

**URGENT ACTION TO TAKE**

1.  Immediately contact the following Senators and insist that they put a
"hold" on S. 990.  What will this do?  A hold on S. 990 ensures it can't be
voted on until next year.  YOU MUST CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY!  S. 990 could
come up for a vote as early as tomorrow, and certainly by Wednesday!

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ): (202) 224-4521
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT): (202) 224-2644
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM): (202) 224-6621
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY): (202) 224-3424
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY): (202) 224-6441
Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX): (202) 224-2934
Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK): (202) 224-5754

CALL THEM EARLY AND OFTEN!  A hold on S. 990 will give us the life we need
to fight another day!

2.  Call BOTH of your Senators and urge them to put a hold on S. 990!
Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE.

CALL THESE SENATORS IMMEDIATELY.  THEN CALL AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN.

[madfly]

Action alert

[Magnolia]

Faxed letters to both my senators and talked with their D.C. offices. Good response from each.

[madfly]

Good news!

[The Irishman]

Got through to Sen. Enzi's office. Informed me that they would not put a "hold" on the bill. They believe the Bill is not that bad, argue that it will provide federal money to pay for Federal Mandates. I guess events will prove who is right in the event of its passage.

Regards.

[Eva]

I think that you should make sure that some of these so-called land grabs aren't in the public's best interest. I know that the one that buys back the unused part of Valley Forge Park is a good purchase. The last thing that area needs is another upscale housing development.

[Valpal1]

Here's what I wrote Gordon Smith-OR, who is from our town and has his main income producing family business here as well.

Ya know, the Oregon economy is already in the toilet. We need this like we need more drought, overregulation and taxes. Hello! Put a hold on this bill and stop the sneaking of enviro-whacko bills through at the last minute. Make them debate this sucker-punch bill. Also, if you support this bill, I would like your office to send me a detailed analysis of how it will positively effect Oregon in general and farmers/agriculture in particular, so I can share it with all the citizens of Athena and Weston. Thanks.

Gordy is a RINO, IMO. But he certainly doesn't want to be outed locally, so perhaps he will do the right thing. I think he would be a good choice to pressure. Is there an Oregon ping list that could be pinged to this?

[Nitro]

I am stuck with Schumer and clintoon...

I would vote, actually I vote and NY is lost!!

[goody2shooz]

Doesn't matter if I don't send messages to my Senators, Murray and Cantrell of Washington. It's wasted effort.

They're both left-wingers, and voted for the original package. They like this sort of stuff, screwing the middle-classes, and ignore my e-mails and letters anyway.

[mafree]

land rights bump

[blackie]

Thanks for the ping, I contacted my Senators...

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

[madfly]

See #24

[Carry_Okie]

I guess events will prove who is right in the event of its passage.

The problem with this kind of thinking is that federal land aquisition is irreversible. It matters who is right before the fact. After that, it's too late.

These takings are usually designed to benefit political constituencies or individual campaign contributors at public expense AND at the cost of good stewardship. So, I guess it depends upon whose ox gets gored as to whether or not it matters.

When a property owner loses the use of their land through regulation, they don't get just compensation and it effectively becomes the property of a batch of bureaucrats who can only justify a budget if there are problems with the property. The land is taken off local tax rolls, produces nothing, and usually ends up poorly maintained.

So unless you think the Federal governmint is incapable of mistakes, is willing to reverse Federal land aquisition, and will provide full redress to those it wronged in the process, perhaps you might reconsider that conclusion and provide your legislative staff with a more directed response?