WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Western Caucus Foundation hosted a virtual forum to discuss the Biden Administration’s misguided “30 by 30,” or America the Beautiful, initiative and the importance of locally-led conservation and active land management. Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Vice Chair Chris Stewart (UT-02), and Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (MT) joined to highlight the Wes... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, industry leaders, stakeholders, and representatives of rural America issued the following statements in support of locally-led greater sage-grouse conservation efforts across the West and in support of the Congressional Western Caucus’ work to secure the long-standing provision prohibiting the use of federal funds to list the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act i... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus Members applauded the inclusion of a long-standing greater sage-grouse provision in the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus package. The provision prohibits funds being used to enact federal listing of the greater sage-grouse, thereby empowering state and local species managers to continue protecting sage-grouse populations in communities across the West... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Western Caucus and House Natural Resources Republicans hosted a joint forum on the economic, national defense, and energy security benefits of mining in northern Minnesota and the development of the Twin Metals mine. “This isn’t just about Minnesota, it’s about the whole country,” said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “The Twin Metals mine and the other mining op... Read more »
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 »
This piece was originally published in The Hill. Conservation is engrained within our western way of life. Our livelihood and quality of life out West is reliant upon healthy landscapes which is why we take pride in stewarding the land for current and future generations. Western land users should be seen as partners for accomplishing our conservation goals, not targets. Unfortunately, that is not ... 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 »
