16 



ture resources. Using the business analogy, this resource base is 

 our inventory. And any depletion of this inventory threatens the vi- 

 ability of the business itself. 



In order to capitalize upon the economic opportunities that re- 

 source-based travel and tourism present to many of our commu- 

 nities, we must secure a stable source of funding for the conserva- 

 tion of these nongame wildlife resources. Therefore, I speak today 

 in support of "Teaming with Wildlife," a funding initiative dedi- 

 cated to conservation of the fish and wildlife resources of this coun- 

 try upon which my industry depends. 



In studies of wildlife watchers that I have conducted around this 

 nation, I have yet to see any indication that these consumers are 

 not willing to pay for the conservation of these resources. For ex- 

 ample, in Texas, a survey of birders indicated that nearly 70 per- 

 cent favored or strongly favored the addition of a sales tax on out- 

 door equipment if the funds were dedicated to conservation. 



"Teaming with Wildlife," therefore, should be vievv^ed as an eco- 

 nomic development effort, as well as a conservation initiative. In 

 the nonpartisan White House Conference on Tourism held in Octo- 

 ber of 1995, where I represented Texas as a delegate, representa- 

 tives of the United States tourism industry urged the preservation 

 of "our natural, historic, and cultural resources for future genera- 

 tions and to expand urban and rural economic development oppor- 

 tunities for a national strategy for fostering environmental and cul- 

 tural travel and tourism." 



I suggest that "Teaming with Wildlife" is a key component of this 

 national tourism strategy. And very quickly, I would like to address 

 a question from Mr. Longley. I believe that the most potent of con- 

 servation tools is a profit. In a State such as Texas, where 97 per- 

 cent of the land is in private hands — 97 percent of the land — wild- 

 life resource conservation is strictly in the hands of private land- 

 owners. 



Many would now like to expand their economic strategies into re- 

 source-based tourism. And given the prices of cattle, oil, and gas, 

 I can tell you many more are standing in line to do so. But they 

 do not have the resources, nor the expertise to make that expan- 

 sion. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the local State 

 agency, simply lacks the resources to provide such assistance. 



"Teaming with Wilidlife" will provide such funding that will allow 

 Texas Parks and Wildlife to work with these private landowners in 

 my State. Therefore, please lend your support to this critical initia- 

 tive to conserve the nature resources which is the foundation for 

 this critically important industry. Please allow conservation to pay 

 for itself. Thank you. 



[Statement of Mr. Eubanks may be found at end of hearing.] 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you very much, Mr. Eubanks. Mr. Mailman. 



STATEMENT OF JAMES MALLMAN, MANAGER, COMMODITIES 

 TRADING, AMERICAN AGCO TRADING COMPANY 



Mr. Mallman. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, thank 

 you for the opportunity to be here today and present testimony in 

 support of "Teaming with Wildlife." My name is Jim Mailman, and 

 I am a Commodities Trading Manager for American Agco. 



