Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced a package of bills that contains legislation to increase funding to the Cave and Karst Institute. The package, which falls under the jurisdiction of Bingaman’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will be sent to the Senate floor for immediate consideration. A vote is expected as soon as Sunday.

Among the measures included in the package is a Bingaman bill that would help the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in Carlsbad successfully compete for increased federal funding. 

In 1997, Bingaman introduced the bill -- which was later signed into law -- that created the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.  The bill required the Institute to seek outside funding to match the federal dollars invested in the research performed there. 

While the Institute has been successful in securing federal funds, the 50 percent matching requirement has prevented it from competing for additional federal grant opportunities. The Senator’s legislation seeks to eliminate the matching requirement in order to help the Institute achieve its full potential. 

“This funding is an important investment in Carlsbad that would help Cave and Karst Institute continue its research,” said Bingaman.

The goals of the Cave and Karst Institute are to maintain a scientific knowledge of cave resources, participate in and facilitate research projects, and promote environmentally sound, sustainable resource management practices.