WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Biden Administration requested a 20-year mineral withdrawal within the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota, triggering a two-year pause on new federal mining permits and leases in the area. Congressional Western Caucus Vice Chair Pete Stauber (MN-08), who represents the Iron Range, and Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statements: "Quite ... Read more »
BISMARCK, ND– Last week, Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL) welcomed Western Caucus Members and staff to Bismarck for an Agriculture Summit to discuss the importance of states’ rights and local control of lands, the upcoming Farm Bill, and how federal policies – like the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule – impact North Dakota’s agriculture industry. The Summit, hosted by the Western Caucus Found... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Biden took yet another step toward misguided preservation and mismanagement of lands and resources in Utah by expanding the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument from 201,000 acres to 1.37 million acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from 1 million acres to 1.87 million acres. “Instead of listening to the concerns of Utah’s communities, tri... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, Congressional Western Caucus Members from across the United States introduced the Western Conservation Principles to continue promoting effective, locally-led, and voluntary conservation efforts already utilized throughout rural communities. The Principles outline the need for outcome-based conservation practices, from public-private partnerships and active fo... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 5, Congressional Western Caucus and Senate Western Caucus Members unveiled a blueprint for effective, science-based conservation titled, "Western Conservation Principles." In contrast to the Biden Administration's top-down preservationist approach, also known as the "30 by 30 initiative," the Principles embrace the policies, tools, and values recognized by rural Ameri... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus and Senate Western Caucus Members revealed a holistic, outcome-based conservation proposal titled, “Western Conservation Principles.” The proposal, which serves as an alternative to the Biden Administration’s "30 by 30 initiative" and America the Beautiful report, is a blueprint for responsible, effective conservation supported by rural commun... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced they would relocate the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Headquarters from Grand Junction, CO, to Washington, D.C., a move that disadvantages communities on or surrounded by BLM land throughout the West. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement in response: “Putting management... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) completed initial reviews of two petitions to list gray wolves in the western United States under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). USFWS subsequently announced they would initiate a 12-month comprehensive status review of the gray wolf. Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the followi... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (MT), and Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Sanford Bishop (GA-02) introduced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and honor the locally-led, collaborat... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement after seven House Democrats sent a letter to House leadership outlining their opposition to oil, natural gas, and refining provisions within the House budget reconciliation package: “As Democrat leaders in Congress push a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package and an anti-oil and gas agenda... Read more »
