Pressures to significantly reduce federal expenditures have resulted from concerns about the growing national debt and a prolonged sluggish economy. Anticipated budget cuts could have far-reaching impacts on the environment. Professionals and scientists who have knowledge about conservation science, natural resources management, and environmental protection have an opportunity to inform this process by sharing their expertise.
Federal programs and activities have longstanding records of benefiting the integrity of America’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the quality of air and water, built infrastructure that allows us to manage and conserve essential water resources, and scientific research. Thus, it is in this context that RNRF and its member organizations sponsored an interdisciplinary dialog to assess program choices. Participants from government, industry, the NGO community, and academia were invited to participate.
The primary goal of the meeting was to identify essential programs and activities that support the management and use of land resources, coastal and ocean resources, inland water resources, and atmospheric resources. Congress participants also identified the risk-of-loss associated with diminished financial support.
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Click Here to Download White Paper Mailed to Members of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives