NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 255 (Chaffetz), To amend certain definitions contained in the Provo River Project Transfer Act for purposes of clarifying certain property descriptions, and for other purposes. H.R. 745 (Napolitano), To reauthorize the Water Desalination Act of 1996. H.R. 1963 (Daines), To amend the Water Conservation and Utilization Act to authorize the development of non-Federal hydropower and issuance of leases of power privileges at projects constructed pursuant to the authority ...... read more

Today, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing featuring testimony by Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association. The hearing highlighted the challenges of western states regarding federal and state land management. At the hearing, Members and Governor Herbert discussed how states are able to find their own solutions to land management, tailored to their unique circumstances. In contrast, the federal government is bo...... read more

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) sent letters to the National Park Service, General Services Administration, and Eisenhower Memorial Commission seeking information about the activities and costs associated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the current design and construction of the planned presidential Memorial in Washington, D.C. The current plan for the M...... read more

Today, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled “The 2008 Lacey Act Amendments.” The hearing focused on the significant May 2008 expansion of the Lacey Act to include all plants and plant products. “The full House was never given the opportunity to debate or amend the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments. The language was added in the Senate as a floor amendment to the 700-page 2008 Farm Bill. These provisions are costing millions of dollars in ...... read more

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement on the proposed regulations of hydraulic fracturing on federal lands announced today by the Department of the Interior: “The Obama Administration is once again choosing costly red tape at the expense of American jobs and American energy production. It is charging forward with new regulations on hydraulic fracturing on federal and tribal lands that are burdensome, restrictive, unnecessary, and directl...... read more

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1963, The Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Daines (MT-At Large), this bill would create new American jobs and expand production of clean, renewable hydropower by removing outdated federal statutory barriers and streamlining administr...... read more

Today, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings spoke with Melissa Francis on Fox Business to discuss the Keystone XL Pipeline - a project that is vital to America's energy future. ... read more

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act. “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act. This important legislation would remove roadblocks to allow for the approval and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline – a project that is vital to America’s...... read more

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on four bills that would streamline government red tape and expand development of America’s onshore oil, natural gas, and renewable energy resources as part of a true all-of-the-above approach to energy production. “Americans shouldn’t be forced to make summer vacation plans based on the pric...... read more

Today, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing featuring testimony by Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association. The hearing highlighted the challenges of western states regarding federal and state land management. At the hearing, Members and Governor Herbert discussed how states are able to find their own solutions t...... read more

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Republicans aim to overturn Obama’s plan for Alaskan oil” Associated Press – Matthew Daly: “House passes GOP bill to speed pipeline approval” Washington Post – Darryl Fears: “Frog, toad and salamander populations plummeting, U.S. survey finds” Associated Press: “Feds lift hold on reservation pipeline project” Associated P...... read more

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Lawmakers press Interior to slow down on fracking rules” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Unlikely alliance: Political foes plea for more time on fracturing rule” The Hill – Zack Colman: “White House threatens veto of Keystone bill” Fuel Fix – David R. Baker: “Using solar power to pump oil” Capital Press – Matthew Weaver: “Sagebru...... read more

AAA sees gas prices rising into Memorial Day weekend By Talia Buford 5/21/2013 The seasonal Memorial Day rise in gasoline prices is likely to bump up the cost of filling up the car this weekend, but much of the pain will hit motorists in the Midwest and on the West Coast, where a confluence of factors is leading to all-time highs leading into the holiday. AAA predicts that come Memorial Day weeke...... read more

Last week, the National Park Service (NPS) finished the scaffolding surrounding the Washington Monument. The Washington Monument has been closed since being damaged in an Earthquake on August 23, 2011. This video released by the NPS shows a first person perspective from the top of the monument. ... read more

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Wall Street Journal – Kim Murphy: “Alaska governor launches bid to measure oil in Arctic refuge” Joplin Globe – Andy Ostmeyer: “Federal agency proposes adding two Missouri mussels to endangered species list” Washington Examiner editorial: “Do 'Right by Ike' with scaled-down memorial” Washington Examiner – Eric P. Newcomber: “Congress takes aim at Eisenh...... read more

Moments before the House began voting on the Keystone XL Pipeline energy project, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) joined Fox Busines...

Today, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings urged passage of H.R. 3, a bill to approve the Northern Route of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

In North Dakota, it can take 10 times as long to get a drilling permit on federal lands compared to state lands. That is why the House of Representatives vot...

President Obama's former EPA Administration admitted that there is no proven case that fracking causes ground water contamination.

Rep Steve Daines (R-MT) joined The Dennis Miller Show to discuss the Keystone XL Pipeline Energy Project and how it would create much-needed jobs, lower ener...

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 255 (Chaffetz), To amend certain definitions contained in the Provo River Project Transfer Act for purposes of clarifying certain property descriptions, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 745 (Napolitano), To reauthorize the Water Desalination Act of 1996.
• H.R. 1963 (Daines), To amend the Water Conservation and Utilization Act to authorize the development of non-Federal hydropower and issuance of leases of power privileges at projects constructed pursuant to the authority of the Water Conservation and Utilization Act, and for other purposes. “Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Tom McClintock
Chairman

Watch the archived hearing webcast:

 

Video streaming by Ustream

 

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Mr. Gary Kennedy (H.R. 1963)
Superintendent
Mancos Water Conservancy District
Mancos, Colorado
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Keith Denos (H.R. 255)
General Manager
Provo River Water Users Association
Pleasant Grove, Utah
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Robert Quint (H.R. 255, H.R. 1963)
Senior Advisor
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Washington, D.C.

PANEL II

Mr. Kevin Wattier (H.R. 745)
General Manager
Long Beach Water Department
Long Beach, California
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Wayne Crews (H.R. 745)
Vice President for Policy, Director of Technology Studies
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Washington, D.C.
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Robert Quint (H.R. 745)
Senior Advisor
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Washington, D.C.

Testimony Submitted for the Record:

Michael Carlson
Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District #1
Manager

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 15, 2013
• Subcommittee Witness List - May 21, 2012

... read more

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 1964 (Hastings of WA), To amend the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, including at least one lease sale in the Reserve each year in the period 2013 through 2023, and for other purposes. ‘‘National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act”
• H.R. 1965 (Lamborn),To streamline and ensure onshore energy permitting, provide for onshore leasing certainty, and give certainty to oil shale development for American energy security, economic development, and job creation, and for other purposes. “Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act”
• H.R. 1394 (Tipton), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish goals for an all-of-the-above energy production plan strategy on a 4-year basis on all onshore Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. “Planning for American Energy Act of 2013”
• H.R. 555 (Johnson of OH), To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based live lease sales, and for other purposes. “BLM Live Internet Auctions Act”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Committee Chairman

The Honorable Doug Lamborn
Subcommittee Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Jamie Connell
BLM Acting Deputy Director
U.S. Department of the Interior

Commissioner Dan Sullivan
Department of Natural Resources
State of Alaska

Charlotte E. Brower
Mayor
North Slope Borough

PANEL II

Richard Glenn
Executive Vice President, Lands & Natural Resources
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Jack Ekstrom
Vice President, Corporate and Government Relations
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
(Truth in Testimony Form)

William W. Britain
President / CEO
EnergyNet.com, Inc.
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Debbie Miller
Founder and Member of Board of Directors
Alaska Wilderness League
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Jim Spehar
Former Mayor
Grand Junction, Colorado
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 15, 2013
• Subcommittee Witness List - May 20, 2013

... read more

Oversight Hearing on:

• "Data collection issues in relation to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act"

Member Statements:

The Honorable John Fleming
Chairman

Archived hearing webcast:

Video streaming by Ustream

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Dr. Richard Merrick
Chief Science Advisor
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Mr. Randy Fisher
Executive Director
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Robert Beal
Executive Director
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. David Donaldson
Interim Executive Director
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
(Truth in Testimony Form)

PANEL II

Ms. Linda Behnken
Executive Director
Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Christopher Bonzek
Fishery Data Analyst
NorthEast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP)
Department of Fisheries Science
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Dr. F. Jay Breidt
Professor of Statistics and Associate Chair
Department of Statistics
Colorado State University and 
Member of the National Research Council’s 
“Committee on the Review of Recreational Fisheries Survey Methods”
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Christopher Horton
Midwestern States Director
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and 
Member of Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee’s
Recreational Fisheries Working Group
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Dr. Kevin Stokesbury
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Fisheries Oceanography
School for Marine Science and Technology
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

Captain Mike Colby 
President 
Double Hook Charters
Clearwater, Florida
(Truth in Testimony Form) 

 

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 13, 2013
• Subcommittee Witness List - May 20, 2013

... read more

Oversight Hearing on:

• "Perspectives on the Management of Federal and State Land: Testimony by Governor Gary Herbert (R-UT), Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Rob Bishop
Subcommittee Chairman

Archived video webcast:

Video streaming by Ustream

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Honorable Gary Herbert 
Governor
State of Utah

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 14, 2013
• Updated: Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 14, 2013
• Subcommittee Hearing Witness List - May 20, 2013

... read more

• Watch the archived hearing video

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 623 (Young of AK), To provide for the conveyance of certain property located in Anchorage, Alaska, from the United States to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. “Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act”
• H.R. 740 (Young of AK), To provide for the settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and for other purposes. “Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act”
• H.R. 841 (Schrader), To amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 931 (Schrader), To provide for the addition of certain real property to the reservation of the Siletz Tribe in the State of Oregon.
• H.R. 1306 (Young of AK), To provide for the partial settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. “Southeast Alaska Native Land Conveyance Act”
• H.R. 1410 (Franks), To prohibit gaming activities on certain Indian lands in Arizona until the expiration of certain gaming compacts. “Keep the Promise Act of 2013”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Don Young
Subcommittee Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Michael Black (H.R. 841, H.R. 931, and H.R. 1410)
Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior

Robert McSwain (H.R. 623)
Deputy Director for Management Operations
Department of Health and Human Services

Jim Peña (H.R. 740 and H.R. 1306)
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System
U.S. Forest Service
Department of Agriculture

PANEL II

Andy Teuber (H.R. 623)
Board Chair and President
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Reyn Leno (H.R. 841)
Tribal Council Chair
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Delores Pigsley (H.R. 931)
Tribal Chairman
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon

Byron Mallott (H.R. 740 & H.R. 1306)
Member, Board of Directors
Sealaska Corporation
(Truth in Testimony Form)

PANEL III

Diane Enos (H.R. 1410)
President
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Ned Norris, Jr. (H.R. 1410)
Chairman
Tohono O'odham Nation

Jimmie Rosenbruch (H.R. 740)
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 9, 2013
• Subcommittee Hearing Witness List - May 14, 2013

... read more

Moments before the House voted last night on the Keystone XL Pipeline energy project, Chairman Doc Hastings joined Melissa Francis on FOX Business with a clear message to build this project immediately for American jobs, energy security, and lower energy prices.Chairman Hastings Discusses Keystone on Fox Business... read more

Today, the House is debating H.R. 3, legislation to approve the Northern Route of the Keystone XL pipeline. What do you think about the Keystone XL pipeline?Chairman Hastings Floor Speech on Keystone XL PipelineToday, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings urged passage of H.R. 3, a bill to approve the Northern Route of the Keystone XL Pipeline.... read more

LIVE at 10AM: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Legislative Hearing on four energy bills, including Chairman Doc Hastings H.R. 1964. A bill to unlock the full potential of energy resources in the NPR-A. Watch at http://naturalresources.house.gov/live... read more

Tomorrow the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing on four bills to Protect and Expand Energy Production on Federal Lands. Tune at 10AM. Http://naturalresources.house.gov/live... read more

Today at the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, Utah Gov. Herbert testifies about the challenges of land management. Watch live at http://naturalresources.house.gov/live/... read more