Today, the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the FY 2012 budget request for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The hearing focused on $1.69 billion request for FWS, $47.8 billion above FY ’10 levels, and increased funding for government land acquisition.
“Two years ago, President Obama told a town hall meeting in Rio… Read more »
Indian and Alaskan Native Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-At Large) and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) will today introduce legislation to cap attorney fees in the Cobell v. Salazar Settlement Agreement at $50 million.
The $3.4 billion Settlement Agreement, enacted into law last December, included an agreement, signed by the plaintiff attorneys and… Read more »
Yesterday, during a Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Administration’s “Wild Lands” order, Chairman Doc Hastings questioned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey on the Administration’s legal authority to prioritize “Wild Lands” above other multiple-uses of BLM lands.
Under the Secretarial Order No. 3310, Secretary Salazar directed BLM to re-review its land… Read more »
Today at a Natural Resources Committee hearing, Republican Members soundly rejected the Obama Administration’s new “Wild Lands” order. This Secretarial Order, issued without public consultation, attempts to designate Wilderness areas without Congressional approval. Numerous state and local officials testified at today’s hearing that this order could lock-up public lands, destroy American… Read more »
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on the impact of the Administration’s “Wild Lands” order. The Committee heard from Western governors and elected local officials who expressed their concern over the proposed Wild Lands order and its negative impact on jobs, economic growth and American energy production.
What They Are Saying about the Wild Lands… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement after the Interior Department announced the approval of Noble Energy’s deepwater drilling permit:
“Over four months after the deepwater drilling moratorium was officially lifted in the Gulf of Mexico, the Administration is finally issuing the first permit. While this is good news, today’s… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today announced new staff in the Committee’s communications office:
Jamie Hennigan will serve as Director of Outreach for the Full Committee. In this newly established role, Jamie will work to build, coordinate and communicate with coalitions, interested groups and individuals on issues under the Committee’s… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement after House Democrats asked President Obama to release portions of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR):
“Americans are feeling the pain at the pump as gasoline prices climb towards four dollars a gallon. Tapping the SPR may provide some temporary relief but we must consider America’s… Read more »
Today, the Obama Administration’s de facto drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico was once again struck down in Federal Court. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman granted a preliminary injunction requiring that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) act within 30 days on five pending permit applications from Ensco.
“The court has now clearly found… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement regarding today’s White House event on America’s Great Outdoors:
“America has a responsibility to care for our treasured public lands and ensure that they are there for future generations to enjoy. Proper conservation requires a balanced approach. This means protecting and maintaining the… Read more »
