Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2015) – Today the U.S. House passed H.R. 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. This bill reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management program through fiscal year 2019, refocusing authority in the regional fishery management councils instead of continuing with a federal one-size-fits-all approach. The bill also enhances transparency in the science and development of fisheries management plans, and streamlines the regulatory process to avoid duplication while still retaining consistency with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May 27, 2015) – Today in spite of thousands of public comments raising serious concerns, including from governors and on-the-ground stakeholders throughout the country, the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. This rule marks an unprecedented federal seizure of management and control over waters previously under state jurisdiction. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2015) – Today the U.S. House passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. This bill reauthorizes federal research programs, emphasizing basic research and fundamental discovery and increasing support for affordable domestic energy resources. The bill also re-prioritizes funding, increasing the share of nuclear and fossil fuels research, while ensuring that grants are publicly determined by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to be in the national interest. It requires the NSF maintain U.S. leadership in science, technology and innovation, and promote science, technology, engineering and math education while reducing duplication. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2015) – Today the U.S. House voted for and passed H.R. 1735 – the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, which, in addition to setting annual policy for our military, addresses federal species listings that will negatively impact military training and readiness. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May 12, 2015) – Today the U.S. House passed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015, which orders the EPA to withdraw its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The bill directs EPA to issue a new rule based on input from the public, states, and stakeholders and consistent with Supreme Court precedent. The rule, if left unchecked, would lead to a massive seizure of states’ waters throughout the country. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2015) – Today the U.S. House passed H.R. 2028, the FY 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill with a bi-partisan vote of 240-177. A rider attached to the bill prohibits implementation or enforcement of the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The WOTUS rule, an unprecedented federal seizure of state waters and private water rights, would centralize at the federal level jurisdiction over streams, ponds, and other waters currently regulated by the states. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (April 17, 2015) – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages over 245 million surface acres and 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout 12 Western states, took the first step to raise royalty rates on already restricted oil and gas production on federal lands. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2015) –Yesterday during a Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans hearing, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon announced the decision to halt work on the controversial Proposed Directive on Groundwater Management released last year by the Forest Service. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2015) – Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decided to list the northern long eared bat (NLEB) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS cites white-nose syndrome, a disease that has been impacting NLEB populations throughout the east and Midwest, as the sole cause for the listing. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2015) – The EPA continues stealing its way into every home and every season of the year. In February, mid winter, the agency finalized regulations further restricting wood stove manufacturers and setting stringent soot standards. Now, as spring starts to break through and summertime lies just around the bend, we learn that the EPA decided to fund a study examining yet another EPA-perceived danger to the environment: barbecue grills. The EPA awarded a $15,000 grant to the University of California—Riverside to examine “particulate emissions” from “residential barbecues.” The study is intended to develop technology to reduce “air pollution” and “health hazards” due to residential barbecues with “potential for global application.” Read more »
