Capps Calls Environmental Bill ‘Extreme’

Congressmember Lois Capps branded as “extreme” the proposed Interior-Environment Appropriations bill, which some environmental organizations have termed the worst single environmental legislation ever. The spending bill would cut $2 million from a host of environmental programs. Especially hard hit would be the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is slated for an 80 percent reduction. Over the years, that fund helped local governments secure Shoreline Park, portions of Leadbetter Beach, Lake Los Carneros, and Waller Park in Santa Maria. The measure was scheduled for debate this week, but given Congress’s concern with the debt-ceiling deadline, that may not happen. When it does, it’s doubtful the bill has the votes needed to make it out of the House and into the Senate.