By not updating offshore leasing plan, Biden undercuts conservation projects By: Rep. Buddy Carter, Jeff Kupfer
When most Americans think of offshore oil and gas leasing, they think of Gulf of Mexico states such as Louisiana and Texas.
But this industry has another face, one that is much closer to home for a lot of Americans: your community park.
A federal program known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has channeled revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing to conservation projects nationwide, including national and state parks, historical sites, playgrounds, and recreational centers.
The idea is simple: use revenues from the depletion of one natural resource - offshore oil and gas - to support the conservation of another precious resource - our land and water.
Every year, $900 million in royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf are put into this fund, and its impacts are seen from coast to coast.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is among the projects supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Unfortunately, this critical funding opportunity is at risk.
The Department of Interior has failed to implement a five-year offshore leasing plan, not only threatening the ability of companies to conduct offshore resource exploration and development but also the existence of the entire LWCF.
Without offshore leasing, these municipal investments would lose funding, jeopardizing the positive environmental and financial impact they bring to our community...
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and, most recently, Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area are some of the many places in the state that have benefited from this critical program.
Two years ago, the 24,000 acres in Camden County made up one of the largest unprotected wildlands on the U.S. East Coast.
Now a state-owned wildlife management area, the Ceylon Tracts is a natural treasure that the public will enjoy for generations to come receiving $7 million alone in 2021 to protect the area and the wildlife there.
It’s not just state and national parks that benefit from this program, either.
LWCF funding also provides financial support for community pools and parks, and recreation facilities, in addition to the funding that keeps state and national parks open and operating.
The First District has also seen thousands of dollars of investment, like a $118,000 grant to the City of Brunswick Orange Park and $119,000 to Jesup to restore outdoor swimming facilities in the area.
The beauty of the state of Georgia is something that has been appreciated for hundreds of years and we hope will continue to be appreciated for hundreds more.
It is programs like this that will make this goal a reality.
Read my full Savannah Morning News op-ed here. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about the NDAA that the House passed this week! |
Monday, July 10, 2023: The largest single economic development project in the history of the State of Georgia is currently under construction in north Bryan County off of I-16 in the First District. This morning, I am able to visit the site to see the progress being made. My tour is led by my good friend, former Georgia State Senate President Pro tem Eric Johnson, who is now using his extensive political and professional experience in overseeing this project by serving as the project manager for the Savannah Joint Development Authority (JDA). This $5.5 billion manufacturing facility will consist of an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant and an adjacent EV battery factory and will employ 8,100 workers with at least that many more workers being employed by associated businesses. With 16 to 17 million square feet planned to be under the roof and plans to manufacture 300,000 vehicles a year, the site is mammoth. Originally planned to come online in the first quarter of 2025, the project is being built at breakneck speed and hopes are now that the plant will be online in the fall of 2024.
After a great visit, I head to downtown Savannah to meet with constituents and, afterward, head to our Savannah District Office in midtown where I join in on our all-staff conference call before joining in on a scheduling meeting.
Next, I head to Memorial Health in Savannah where I meet with the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brad Talbert, and his leadership team. Memorial Health is part of HCA Healthcare and serves 35+ counties across southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina. After a briefing on the success of the hospital, I am led on a tour of the impressive neonatal unit, an area that I have personal experience with as my youngest son spent time here many years ago.
Next, I head to Savannah City Hall on River Street where I meet with the Director of Interagency Council on Homelessness, Stephanie Kaple, along with Savannah City Councilman Nick Palumbo and other City of Savannah staff to learn of the great work the city is doing in coordinating homeless authorities and groups throughout the area. Homelessness is a major problem throughout our area and country, particularly on the I-95 corridor, and I applaud the City of Savannah’s efforts to coordinate the many well-meaning groups in our area striving to help those in need. |
Carter tours Hyundai Megasite progress |
Tuesday, July 11, 2023: I’m up early this morning and on the radio with my good friend John Fredericks as we discuss the news of the day before I head to the Georgia Tech Savannah Campus in West Chatham County where I speak to a community outreach and listening session regarding the Clean Energy Regional Technology Innovation Hub initiative.
Next, I head to the airport for my trip to Washington and, during the drive, have a radio interview with my good friend Martha Zoller in Gainesville as we discuss the news of the day. Once back at the Capitol, I have a meeting with my communications staff before meeting with the Georgia Association of Conventions & Visitors Bureaus.
After a meeting with the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education, I have a meeting with my legislative team to discuss the upcoming week before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee huddle to discuss this week’s work. Once back in my office, I have a scheduling meeting with staff before heading to a Hindu Advocacy gathering in the Rayburn building followed by an E&C GOP press conference in the House Visitors Center (HVC).
After our weekly Whip Team meeting, I head to the House chamber for our first vote series of the week and, afterward, remain in the chamber where I pay tribute to Mary Demere from Savannah who recently passed. |
Carter at Georgia Tech clean energy summit |
Wednesday, July 12, 2023: After our weekly GOP member conference meeting this morning, I meet with the President of EMD, a pharmaceutical company, before heading to an E&C C&T subcommittee markup of 17 bills.
Afterward, I head to the plaza steps at the Capitol where I greet participants from the Gulfstream Student Leadership Program who are visiting the Capitol this week. After a couple of meetings off Capitol Hill, I return for an E&C Environment Subcommittee markup before heading to the House chamber for votes.
Afterward, I have a series of meetings in my office, including Johnson and Johnson (J&J) Chairman Scott White, Coffee County Superintendent of Schools, Life Wallet, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and John Sacco, President of Sierra International.
After heading to the plaza steps of the Capitol for pictures with forestry interns, I head to the House chamber where I pay tribute to my good friend and former pilot, Bobby Smith, who was tragically killed in a plane crash recently. |
Carter meeting with Coffee County superintendents |
Thursday, July 13, 2023: My day starts early with a live interview on Newsmax as we discuss “Bidenomics” and the economy. Next, I head to a Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we hear from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf before I head to an E&C member briefing on Indo-Pacific Critical Minerals Developments in the Cook Islands.
Afterward, I head to the House chamber where I pay tribute to Dana Wright, a teacher from Effingham County who recently passed, the Pierce County High School Girls Golf team that recently won the State Championship for the second year in a row, the City of Savannah which was recently chosen as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the country, and Riyon Rankin from Brunswick High School, who recently won the State High Jump championship.
Next, I head to a very contentious E&C Healthcare Subcommittee markup that is temporarily adjourned for our first vote series of the day. Before restarting our markup, I return to my office where I receive the 2023 Legislator Champion Award from the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA-GA).
After our health markup, I speak virtually to the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO) before having a phone conference with the new commander of the 3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, Major General Christopher Norrie.
Next, I head back to the House chamber for our second vote series of the day, and later in the evening, I return for our third vote series of the day. After the third vote series ends at 11:30 PM, I remain in the House chamber where I pay tribute to Cumberland Island Superintendent Gary Ingram. |
Carter receives LPCA-GA award |
Friday, July 14, 2023: After our weekly E&C member meeting, I head to a meeting of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) student fly-in participants, where I am honored to address them.
Once back in my office, I record a series of videos dealing with technology before filming a video greeting for the Arthritis Caucus. After an interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) to discuss my legislation addressing maternal mortality, I join in on our all-staff conference call before heading to the House chamber for our final vote series of the week.
After this vote series that includes us passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I remain in the chamber and pay tribute to Charles Carpel, a Georgia native who recently passed.
Next, I head to the Wounded Veterans Memorial near the Health and Human Services (HHS) building where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. Before leaving for the airport for my return trip home, I have a meeting with my legislative staff to review this week’s meetings and preview next week’s meetings. |
Carter speaks to pharmacy students |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
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