House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today expressed continued concern over the U.S. Entity’s revised draft recommendation regarding potential modifications to the Columbia River Treaty. This morning, Chairman Hastings met with representatives of the U.S. Entity to discuss the latest draft recommendation and to express his concerns directly. “The U.S. Entity’s… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the “Department of the Interior’s proposal to establish a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for adding species to the Lacey Act’s list of injurious wildlife.” This hearing examined the potential effects of the Fish and… Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1526, Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, by a bipartisan vote of 244-173. This legislation, sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, renews the federal government’s commitment to manage federal forests for the benefit of rural schools and counties. H.R. 1526 will create over 200,000 direct… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act: “Mr. Chairman, over the last few months deadly wildfires, specifically in California, Arizona, Colorado and other western states, have highlighted the growing problem with our… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) issued the following statement regarding Senate adoption of an amendment to HR 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. “In April, the House acted in a bipartisan, near unanimous fashion to pass comprehensive legislation to prevent an immediate helium shortage and reform the federal helium program to… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today sent follow-up letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after they failed to meet the September 18th deadline to comply with subpoenas for documents on the Obama Administration’s decision to retroactively subject 2012 Secure Rural School (SRS) payments to the fiscal… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on “Keeping Hydropower Affordable and Reliable: The Protection of Existing Hydropower Investments and the Promotion of New Development.” This hearing highlighted how existing federal and non-federal hydropower resources are compromised by litigation and regulation, while new hydropower projects… Read more »

Today the House of Representatives will begin consideration of H.R. 1526, Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, legislation that renews the federal government’s commitment to manage federal forests for the benefit of rural schools and counties and to improve forest health. The bill is supported by over 140 local and national organizations, including 68 counties in 17… Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 761, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act by a bipartisan vote of 246-178. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02), would allow the United States to more efficiently develop America’s strategic and critical minerals, such as rare earth elements, that are vital to job creation, American economic… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held its fourth oversight hearing of the 113th Congress on the “Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.” This hearing examined potential reforms needed to make sure the law benefits both fish and fishermen. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is the primary statute… Read more »