NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Today, all 26 lawmakers representing Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho urged President Obama to make the future of the 1964 Columbia River Treaty a priority for 2014. In a letter led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the 26 lawmakers highlighted the importance of the Columbia River Treaty and asked the Administration to take direct action on this issue by ...... read more

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a comprehensive audit of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The audit found that the federal government does not have a system to track data and costs associated with performing NEPA reviews, NEPA delays are lengthy and vary agency to agency, and that litigation is a major driver in the environmental review process. The audit was performed at the request of House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Public...... read more

At a Full Committee hearing today on “Tribal Forest Management: A Model for Promoting Healthy Forests and Rural Jobs,” House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) in his opening statement stressed the need for the Senate to take action on House-passed legislation to restore active forest management. Last September, the House passed H.R. 1526, The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, which renews the federal government’s commitment to manage federal forests f...... read more

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Women and Minorities.” The energy sector provides stable, well-paying jobs with an average salary much higher than other sectors. The hearing examined the growing opportunities for women and minorities in the energy field and how their role will continue to grow. A study released last month found significant job potential for women and minorities. The study found that und...... read more

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held a Full Committee legislative hearing on four straightforward bills to update the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the 21st century and improve species recovery. The bills are supported by all of the Members of the ESA Congressional Working Group, representing districts across the nation, and are based on the recommendations and findings of their report and input from a broad array of stakeholders, including the Western Governors’ Association. At ...... read more

Today, all 26 lawmakers representing Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho urged President Obama to make the future of the 1964 Columbia River Treaty a priority for 2014. In a letter led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the 26 lawmakers highlighted the importan...... read more

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a comprehensive audit of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The audit found that the federal government does not have a system to track data and costs associated with performing NEPA reviews, NEPA delays are lengthy and vary agency to agency, and that litigation is a major driver in the environmental review process. The audit was...... read more

At a Full Committee hearing today on “Tribal Forest Management: A Model for Promoting Healthy Forests and Rural Jobs,” House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) in his opening statement stressed the need for the Senate to take action on House-passed legislation to restore active forest management. Last September, the House passed H.R. 1526, The Restoring Healthy Forests for H...... read more

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Women and Minorities.” The energy sector provides stable, well-paying jobs with an average salary much higher than other sectors. The hearing examined the growing opportunities for women and minorities in the energy field and how their role will continue to grow. A study re...... read more

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held a Full Committee legislative hearing on four straightforward bills to update the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the 21st century and improve species recovery. The bills are supported by all of the Members of the ESA Congressional Working Group, representing districts across the nation, and are based on the recommendations and findings of their re...... read more

Click on the 'Comment' link and post your question to the Secretary here. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Post by House Committee on Natural Resources. ... read more

Wednesday, March 19th the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing in Fresno, CA on "California Water Crisis and Its Impacts: The Need for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions." This field hearing is designed to focus on the need to resolve differences in order to bring immediate and long-term water supplies to the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California. The lack of ra...... read more

Examiner Editorial: Fighting waste and fraud requires junkyard dogs, not pawns Washington Examiner March 13, 2014 When Congress and President Carter approved creation of the present inspector general program in 1978, the new officials were intended to be the front line of attack against waste and fraud in the federal government. Federal spending was just over $400 billion that year. Washington wi...... read more

This week the House will consider H.R. 3964, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Emergency Water Delivery Act, introduced by the Republican California delegation, addresses the emergency drought in California by restoring some water supplies San Joaquin Valley Farmers. The lack of rainfall has exacerbated the man-made drought caused by federal regulations and environmental lawsuits. On January 17, 2...... read more

America can count on reliable and affordable electricity from coal for the foreseeable future. This will only happen if the Obama Administration stops its constant attacks on this abundant resource. In 2013, coal provided America with 40% of America’s electricity while providing countless direct and indirect jobs. Many communities around the country rely upon coal for their livelihoods. Needless t...... read more

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered this statement on the House floor today in support of S. 404, the Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act. This important bipartisan legislation is similar to H.R. 908 that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 20, 2014 as part of the Public Access and Lands Improvement Act.

HR 1459, the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act, a bill sponsored by Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) was debated by the House.

Chairman Hasting delivered the following floor statement on H.R. 2824, the Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act.

Today, the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing in Fresno, CA on "California Water Crisis and Its Impacts: The Need for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions." To learn more: http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=372230

On Wednesday, February 26th, 2014 Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor supporting H.R. 2804.

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 4296 (Sablan), To amend Public Law 94–241 with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands.
• H.R. 4402 (Bordallo), To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to establish a surface danger zone over the Guam National Wildlife Refuge or any portion thereof to support the operation of a live-fire training range complex. “Guam Military Training and Readiness Act of 2014”

Member Statements:

The Honorable John Fleming
Subcommittee Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Witnesses are by invitation only.

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - April 10, 2014

... read more

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 3687 (Issa), To amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide that if the head of the agency managing Federal property objects to the inclusion of certain property on the National Register or its designation as a National Historic Landmark for reasons of national security, the Federal property shall be neither included nor designated until the objection is withdraw, and for other purposes. “Military LAND Act”
• H.R. 4458 (McCarthy of California), To make permanent the withdrawal and reservation of public land previously withdrawn and reserved to support the operations of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and to provide for the withdrawal and reservation of additional public land. “Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake Security Enhancement Act”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Rob Bishop
Subcommittee Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

​Witnesses are by invitation only.

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - April 22, 2014

... read more

Oversight Hearing on:

• “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Skilled Trade Workers”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

Witnesses are by invitation only.

Related Documents:

• Full Committee Hearing Notice - April 15, 2014

... read more

Oversight Hearing on:

• “Tribal Forest Management: A Model for Promoting Healthy Forests and Rural Jobs”

Archived Video Webcast:

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

The Honorable Michael S. Black
Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior

Mr. Phil Rigdon
Yakama Indian nation
President, Intertribal Timber Council
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Ms. Brenda Meade
Chair
Coquille Indian Tribe

Ms. Carole Lankford
Vice Chairman
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Mr. Cody Desautel
Natural Resources Director
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Mr. Larry Mason
Forest Scientist
Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT)
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Background:

The hearing will examine the successful model of forest management used by tribes throughout the country. Over the last two decades, federal regulations and environmental lawsuits have caused the rapid decline in timber sales across the country in federally managed forests. This lack of active federal forest management has destroyed tens of thousands of jobs, deprived rural counties of revenue, and made our National Forests increasingly susceptible to devastating wildfires and invasive species. Meanwhile, Tribal forest managers continue to be more effective at using their limited resources to better protect forest health, prevent catastrophic wildfires and create jobs. This oversight hearing will focus on the issues and challenges facing the management of tribal forests, and will examine innovative ways tribal governments are using limited resources to effectively manage their lands and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - March 21, 2014
• Subcommittee Hearing Witness List - April 8, 2014

... read more

Full Committee Markup on:

• H.R. 503 (Roe), To authorize the National Desert Storm Memorial Association to establish the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. “National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act”
• H.R. 863 (Maloney), To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum, and for other purposes. “Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum Act of 2013”
• H.R. 2208 (Wittman), To extend the authorization of appropriations for allocation to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act through fiscal year 2017. “North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act of 2013”
• H.R. 2430 (Pascrell), To adjust the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium, and for other purposes. “Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act of 2013”
• H.R. 3802 (Lynch), To extend the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in honor of former President John Adams and his legacy, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 4002 (Mullin), To revoke the charter of incorporation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma at the request of that tribe, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 4017 (Heck), To designate a peak located in Nevada as "Mount Reagan".
• H.R. 4120 (Hoyer), To amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date.
• H.R. 4253 (Bishop), To permanently withdraw, reserve, and transfer Bureau of Land Management lands used for military purposes in Alaska, Nevada, and New Mexico to the appropriate Secretary of the military department concerned. “Bureau of Land Management Withdrawn Military Lands Efficiency and Savings Act”
• H.R. 4309 (Bordallo), To amend the Sikes Act to make certain improvements to the administration of cooperative agreements for land management related to Department of Defense readiness activities, and for other purposes.

Archived Video Webcast:

Committee Action Summary:

H.R. 503 (Roe), To authorize the National Desert Storm Memorial Association to establish the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. “National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act”

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 503 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Bishop of Utah Amendment #1, was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

H.R. 863 (Maloney), To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum, and for other purposes.“Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum Act of 2013”

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 863 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Bishop of Utah Amendment #1, was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

H.R. 2208 (Wittman), To extend the authorization of appropriations for allocation to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act through fiscal year 2017. “North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act of 2013”

The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2208 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington Amendment #1, was AGREED TO by voice vote.
• An amendment offered by Ms. Bordallo.001 to the Hastings of Washington Amendment #1, was NOT AGREED TO by roll call vote of 14 yeas and 22 nays

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote.

H.R. 2430 (Pascrell), To adjust the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium, and for other purposes. “Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act of 2013”

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2430 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Bishop of Utah Amendment #1, was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.
• An amendment offered by Mr. Grijalva.020, was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

H.R. 3802 (Lynch), To extend the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in honor of former President John Adams and his legacy, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3802 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Bishop of Utah Amendment #1, was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4002 (Mullin), To revoke the charter of incorporation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma at the request of that tribe, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4002 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4017 (Heck), To designate a peak located in Nevada as "Mount Reagan".

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4017 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Mr. DeFazio.066, was NOT AGREED TO by voice vote.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent

H.R. 4120 (Hoyer), To amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date.

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4120 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4253 (Bishop), To permanently withdraw, reserve, and transfer Bureau of Land Management lands used for military purposes in Alaska, Nevada, and New Mexico to the appropriate Secretary of the military department concerned. “Bureau of Land Management Withdrawn Military Lands Efficiency and Savings Act”

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4253 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by a roll call vote of 21 yeas and 10 nays

H.R. 4309 (Bordallo), To amend the Sikes Act to make certain improvements to the administration of cooperative agreements for land management related to Department of Defense readiness activities, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4309 by unanimous consent.

• An amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.059 was AGREED TO by a roll call vote of 21 yeas and 14 nays.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote.

Related Documents:

• Full Committee Markup Notice - April 3, 2014
• Updated: Full Committee Markup Notice - April 4, 2014
• Full Committee Action Summary Report - April 9, 2014

... read more

Great Read from @WSJ. "Taking pride in learning to make and build things can begin in high school. Plenty of jobs await." On April 29th, House Committee on Natural Resources is holding a hearing on skilled labor in the energy sector. Mark your calendars. Josh Mandel: Welders Make $150,000? Bring Back Shop Classonline.wsj.comIn The Wall Street Journal, Josh Mandel writes that taking pride in learni...... read more

Great Read: Story from the Wall Street Journal "The cost of fresh produce is poised to jump in the coming months as a three-year drought in California shows few signs of abating" Earlier this year, the House passed legislation to aid farmer's and stop the multi-year drought. Attention Shoppers: Fruit and Vegetable Prices Rising - Real Time Economics - WSJblogs.wsj.comGrocery shoppers may soon need...... read more

This is the last weekend in the National Cherry Blossom Festival on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Photos of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Memorial at dawn.... read more

Today at 10AM @natresources is holding a full committee markup on ten bills. Follow along online.... read more

Today @2PM the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on American energy jobs, opportunities for women and minorities. To watch along: http://naturalresources.house.gov/live... read more