The vote is on the Seiberling motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill to employ youths for conservation and rehabilitation projects on federal, state, and Indian lands. This $300 million a year program would be funded from federal revenues from such activities as oil and gas leasing and timber sales on public lands. The Conservation Corps would create about 100,000 jobs -- many more jobs per dollar invested than most federal programs. President Reagan opposed this bill, along with other proposals for what he called "make work" jobs. But the need for the work is as clear as the benefits to young people, 22% of whom are unemployed (for minorities, 46%).

Many of our national parks and forests are suffering major resource damage and deterioration from heavy use and lack of maintenance. The same is true of state and local recreation lands, wildlife refuges, fishery facilities, etc. With massive budget cuts at both federal and state levels, the backlog of needed conservation work has grown tremendously. Under this program young people could plant trees, thin out tree stands, maintain trails, build fences on range land, band birds, and enjoy the outdoors. Motion adopted 291-102; June 9, 1982. YES is the pro-environmental vote. (The bill died in the Senate, where it never came up for a vote.)