The purpose of using the environmental damages fund is to address the issue of restoration or damage. Both CEPA and the Migratory Birds Convention Act have allowed for that, but there's been a lack of awareness. It is used about 15 to 20 times a year, roughly $200,000 to $300,000 a year. The purpose of this bill is to combine deterrence and denunciation with restoration. That is why it's directing the funds to the environmental damages fund.
On March 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.