Because of the specificity, environmental groups have tended to favor Resources 2000. Some states, though, prefer CARA because because it puts more money into coastal programs and gives states and local governments more flexibility over how it is used and because it emphasizes coastline restoration, which could include some infrastructure projects. It also prohibits using the money to purchase federal land through condemnation. Both bills are opposed by property rights groups, who oppose any additional government land purchases. By mid-February, about 100 groups formed a new organization called the Keep Private Lands in Private Hands Coalition to fight the proposals.
Some critical details remain unclear.
Although the money exists to pay for the legislation, Congress has approved tight spending caps which could pose a problem. To stay within its 2000 budget, Congress might have to offset the new spending with cuts to existing programs. Stek expressed concern that the bills would result in cuts in other environmental programs. Others, though, believe support is so strong that Congress will find a way to approve the spending, perhaps by finding a way to fund it outside the spending caps. That has not been worked out.