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Governor signs bill to ensure federal funding for DLNR
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Posted on Jun 19 2004
Gov. Juan N. Babauta has amended existing statutes in compliance with federal requirements to ensure the continued flow of federal funding to the Department of Lands and Natural Resources.
Babauta lauded the 14th CNMI Legislature for its expeditious action and immediate response to calls for amendments to 2 CMC Section 5106 under existing Public Law 13-8.
According to Babauta, the DLNR is recipient to $2 million annual allotment from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the last 25 years. The funding assistance has been allocated to finance various programs that benefit both the environment and the people of the CNMI.
However, the historically steady source of federal funds will no longer be available to DLNR unless the Fish, Game and Endangered Species Act is amended to mandate that all fishing and hunting license fees collected by the Division of Fish and Wildlife are deposited in the Fish and Game Conservation Revolving Fund and are not diverted to the CNMI General Fund.
“Federal laws relating to the provision of funds for environmental programs and projects require such amendments as a prerequisite to the continued release of the aforementioned funds to the DLNR,” said Babauta.
House Bill 14-170, which amends 2 CMC Section 5106, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate without a hitch.
According to the governor, the legislation makes the requisite amendments to the Act and assured the continued receipt of a significant amount of annual federal funding that will be used to develop and implement future projects and programs that benefit the CNMI.
“I commend the authors of this legislation and all other members of the Legislature that worked to pass this legislation to ensure that the provision of these vital federal funds will not be jeopardized,” said Babauta.
