Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson has thrown his support behind federal legislation that would pour billions of dollars into conservation and preservation efforts.
"I intend to work very hard with Congress, the administration and other mayors from across the country to ensure passage of this landmark bill," he said. "(It) is an environmental and recreation partnership that makes sense for all of us."
The Conservation and Reinvestment Act, known as CARA, would set aside $45 billion over 15 years in matching funds to help states and localities preserve coastline, protect land by acquisition or conservation easement, preserve wildlife, help restore urban parks and other conservation actions.
"The far right objects to this as a land grab, and the far left objects to it as encouraging off-shore drilling," said Darin Bird, assistant director of the State Department of Natural Resources. "But the mass of people in the middle support it. This is not some sinister thing."
Gov. Mike Leavitt has long supported CARA.
The bill would get its funding, $4 billion to $5 billion a year, from off-shore oil and gas drilling leases.
Utah stands to receive about $40 million the first year if the bill is passed. Anderson pointed out that much of that would go to Salt Lake City, funding improvements to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Jordan River Parkway, parks, playgrounds, ball fields, open spaces and watering systems.
The House of Representatives passed CARA in May by a 315-102 margin, and it is now before the Senate. Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, was the only Utah representative who voted for it in the House. Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch have yet to throw their support one way or the other.
"Some of the senators are concerned because this money would be off budget," Bird said, meaning it would automatically go toward the conservation funds instead of into the general federal budget where it would compete with other projects.
CARA supporters hope to have a floor vote in the Senate before its August recess.