Wednesday, April 21, 2004
The Raw Deal: John Kerry's False Attacks on Coastal Erosion

"John Kerry's false attacks on coastal erosion ignore the funding and attention the President has given to this important issue. The President's budget provides $408 million for ecosystem restoration, while John Kerry's attacks are based on politics, not policy." - Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman
President Bush Is Committed To Fixing Erosion

Kerry's False Attack: President Bush has neglected the problem of coastline erosion.

THE TRUTH: President Bush Is Working To Stop Coastline Erosion. President Bushâ??s FY 2005 budget provides $408 million for ecosystem restoration, which includes significant funding projects in Louisiana. Specifically, the Army Corps of Engineers budget includes a total of $242 million for Louisiana. Most of the funds are for construction, operations and maintenance activities.

In addition, the President recommends a major increase in efforts by the existing Federal-State Task Force established under the 1990 Breaux Act to build and evaluate highly cost-effective fresh-water and sediment diversion projects. For example, the President proposes to nearly double the new funds that the Task Force would obligate, from $49 million in FY03 to $95 million in FY04 and another $84 million in FY05. President Bush is also implementing $40 billion in conservation funding, a record amount, which he signed as part of the Farm bill.

President Bush Has A Plan For Louisiana Coastline Restoration

Kerry's False Attack: The Bush Administration ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to create a short-term plan that is not comprehensive enough to adequately address the problem of coastline erosion.

THE TRUTH: The Near-Term Plan Will Guide The Research And Planning For The Future Long-Term Needs Of Coastal Louisiana Restoration. The "Near-Term Plan," crafted with input from state officials, will serve as a framework for identifying the highest priority, most promising restoration projects in Louisiana. The plan will focus on the best opportunities for restoration in the near-term given the present state of knowledge, on the best ways to sequence that work, and on the best ways to evaluate success. The plan will guide the research and planning efforts that are needed to determine and support the future long-term needs of coastal Louisiana restoration. President Bushâ??s FY 2005 budget dedicated $8 million to completing this study.

President Bush Is Committed To America's Coastline

Kerry's False Attack: President Bush has proposed major cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides funding for key coastal programs.

THE TRUTH: The Fiscal Year 2005 Budget For NOAA Is $3.4 Billion, An Increase Of $146.9 Million Over The FY 2004 Request. Of that, $1.2 billion was requested to protect, restore and manage ecosystems. This represents an increase of $145.3 million over the previous year.

FUNDING FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

Kerry's False Attack: More funding is needed for federal and state fish and wildlife programs and for land acquisition, as well as enhanced tax incentives for the donation of private land conservation easements.

THE TRUTH: Sen. Kerry is following President Bushâ??s lead. In his FY 2005 budget, President Bush proposed to exclude 50 percent of the capital gains from the sale of property for conservation purposes. President Bush devoted $300 million over ten years for this program.