Dear Chairman Rogers: The Obama Administration continues to move forward with zoning the oceans through implementation of the President's National Ocean Policy (Policy) without requesting funding specifically for this broad initiative and without answering basic questions about how funds are currently being diverted from other missions to fund this initiative. Therefore, I ask that you… Read more »

Dear Administrator Lubchenco: As you may know, the Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") has been monitoring the Office of Inspector General's ("OIG") investigations into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ("NOAA") mismanagement of the Asset Forfeiture Fund. Under section 311 (e)(l) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NOAA is authorized to seize assets from violators… Read more »

TO: Republican Members, Committee on Natural Resources FROM: Doc Hastings, Chairman RE: Full Committee Meeting to Authorize Issuance of Subpoenas Today, official notice was given that the Full Committee will meet at 10 a.m. next Wednesday, March 28, 2012, to consider a motion to authorize the Chairman to issue duces tecum subpoenas for the production of documents relating to two… Read more »

Dear Chairwoman Sutley and Director Holdren: On February 23, 2012, I wrote requesting that the public comment period on the draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan be extended for an additional 90 days beyond the original February 27,2012 deadline. It was disappointing to leam that, despite the National Ocean Policy's massive scope and sweeping impacts across the country, this… Read more »

Dear Ms. Haynes: We write to request information related to the Department of the Interior's ("DOI") Klamath Non-use Valuation Survey ("Survey"). According to press reports on the issue, DOI contracted with RTI International to provide information gathering services related to this issue. The Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number for the Survey is 1090-0010. Through… Read more »

Dear Commissioner Connor: We write to request information related to the Department of the Interior's ("DOI") Klamath Non-use Valuation Survey ("Survey"). The Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number for the Survey is 1090-0010. Through this letter, we request information regarding communication on this issue between the Bureau of Reclamation ("BOR") and DOI, as well as… Read more »

Dear Colleague, This week the House will vote on H.R. 2087, To remove restrictions from a parcel of land situated in the Atlantic District, Accomack County, Virginia. This is a no cost bill that would create hundreds of jobs and stimulate the local economy. H.R. 2087 allows Accomack County to move forward with plans to develop a technology and research facility adjacent to a NASA… Read more »

Dear Assistant Attorney General Moreno: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") has jurisdiction over matters involving fisheries and wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ("ESA"), 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1599. The goal of the ESA was to preserve, protect and recover key domestic species. However, today the law is failing to achieve its primary purpose of species… Read more »

Dear Acting Administrator Gruenspecht: On Thursday, January 26, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) recalled its latest available data for oil and gas production on federal lands (Table 1.14 of the Annual Energy Review 2010). According to the agency's announcement, this was necessary because the data "were incorrectly extracted from another agency's data." We write to you today,… Read more »

Dear Colleague: I strongly encourage my colleagues to support Senate bill 1134 being considered today by the House. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent and ensures federal law does not prevent the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota from replacing an old, unsafe bridge. The bipartisan support for this bill includes House Members, Senators and the governors of the… Read more »