FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 1, 2016
Bill would combine, streamline conservation project system
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 1, 2016) – The House of Representatives voted unanimously today in support of State Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s (R-Kokomo) bill which combines two existing conservation funds streamlining the acquisition of land public land. The new fund recognizes President Benjamin Harrison and his dedication to the environment in our bi-centennial year.
House Bill 1353 would merge the Indiana Heritage Trust, which was enacted in 1992, and the Bicentennial Nature Trust, created in 2012 by an executive action, and renames the fund the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust Fund. The bill would simplify the project review and recommendation process for the selection of projects to be funded by the combined trust fund.
“The money in the trust fund may be used for a state or local project approved by the Project Committee,” Karickhoff said. “It also specifies that any property purchased using trust fund money must be approved by the director of Department of Natural Resources.”
The legislation would also increase the amount of funds allocated to the stewardship account from 5 to 9 percent. Karickhoff said, this will help to better preserve the sites acquired through the fund.
Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States and the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison. He was a Presbyterian church leader and politician in Indianapolis. He served as a colonel during the American Civil War and he went on to serve in the U.S. Senate before being elected president in 1888.
Karickhoff’s proposal will now move to the Senate for further consideration.
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Rep. Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents portions of Grant and Howard counties.
