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<br />00030: <br /> <br />-35- <br /> <br />creation of a Federal severance tax to fund a coal/energy transportation <br />assistance program. Such a tax could be distributed on a ton-mile basis <br />to states experiencing impacts from the movement of energy resources. Such <br />a program could be used primarily for programs to mitigate impacts associated <br />with the movement of coal on public roads, coal train movements, and the <br />movement of oil shale products and by-products. An existing example of such <br />a tax is the Reclamation Fee included in the Title IV of the Surface Mining Control <br />and Reclamation Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-87). This approach was also supported <br />by the Section 153 study prepared by U.S. DOT in response to the Federal-Aid <br />Highway Act of 1976, and by resolution of the National Governors Association. <br /> <br />The Oil Shale Trust Fund could also supply a portion of the <br />needs. While it may not be wise to deplete the OSTP completelY, <br />of a sizable portion of it is probably justified. <br /> <br />identified <br />expenditure <br /> <br />per <br /> <br />A restriction on the production of oil from shale <br />day without a pipeline would also be helpful. <br /> <br />to under 15,000 barrels ~ <br /> <br />Department of Agriculture Suggestions for Possible Tools and Initiatives <br /> <br />In recent years the state has been a strong and forceful advocate for <br />Western Slope interests generally. The focus, however, has been on what can <br />be done at the Federal level, not on the scope of the state's responsibilities. <br />As a result, there has been little debate about the state's role vis a vis <br />agriculture-, particularly Western Slope agriculture. And state support for <br />agricultural issues has slipped or simply failed to materialize. The <br />following are examples: <br /> <br />1. Colorado's commitment to soil conservation is one of the lowest <br />in the nation. <br /> <br />2. The state is just beginning to make a financial commitment to water <br />development. <br /> <br />3. Land policies designed to protect and preserve agricultural land <br />are in their infancy. <br /> <br />4. Funding for agricultural research has slipped. <br /> <br />Agriculture cannot compete directly with energy companies for land, <br />water and labor because of a number of economic factors that are national <br />in nature and beyond the control of any single state. There are, however, ~ <br />a number of support functions, such as soil conservation and water development, .-1 <br />that Colorado needs to move on immediately if agriculture is to remain a viable <br />economic activity in the future. <br /> <br />Division of Employment and:Training Suggestions for Possible Tools and Initiatives <br /> <br />Energy production at the medium and high scenarios will present substantial <br />labor supply problems to Colorado. As a result, regional training programs <br />will be required, which could be financially costly both to the state and <br />the Federal government. These regional training programs are essential if <br />a substantial portion of the new jobs created by energy activity are to be <br />filled by Colorado residents. It will also be essential to address the <br />problem of providing housing and social service facilities to workers in the <br />