Dear Director Ashe: We write in strong support of the proposed rule to delist the gray wolf nationally, included in docket number FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073, although we are opposed to the provision included in this rule that would list the Mexican wolf as an endangered sub-species. The statutory purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to recover species to the point where they are no… Read more »

Dear Secretary Vilsack: A subpoena was issued to you as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA") on September 4, 2013, for documents related to the Obama Administration's decision to sequester money paid to states under the Secure Rural Schools ("SRS") program. The subpoena required that the requested documents be provided to the Committee on Natural Resources… Read more »

Dear Director Mathews Burwell: A subpoena was issued to you as Director of the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") on September 4, 2013, for documents related to the Obama Administration's decision to sequester money paid to states under the Secure Rural Schools ("SRS") program. The subpoena required that the requested documents be provided to the Committee on Natural Resources… Read more »

Dear Director Ashe: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") sent a letter on May 16,2013 to the Fish and Wildlife Service ("Service") requesting information and documents regarding enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ("MBTA") and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ("BGEPA"). The Committee requested a response by May 30, 2013. The Committee is… Read more »

Dear Acting Assistant Attorney General Dreher: On May 16,2013, the Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") sent a letter to the Department of Justice ("DOJ") requesting information about the enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ("MBTA") and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ("BGEPA"). To date, DOJ has failed to provide any formal response and none of the requested… Read more »

Dear Dr. Sullivan: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's ("NOAA") preparation for and activities during the recent lapse in appropriations, including the process used for determining which employees were exempt from furlough, the availability of fishery management cost recovery programs to… Read more »

Dear Director Jarvis: As you know, the Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the National Park Service's ("NPS" or "Park Service") preparation for and activities during the recent lapse in appropriations and shutdown of the federal government, including the process used for determining which employees were exempt from furlough; the decision to limit… Read more »

Dear Chief Tidwell: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of how the U.S. Forest Service exercised its discretion in preparing for and responding to the lapse in appropriations that occurred beginning on October 1, 2013. On October 11 ,2013, a letter was sent directing Forest Service to preserve documents potentials responsive to the Committee's… Read more »

Dear Director Ashe: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ("FWS") preparation for and activities during the recent lapse in appropriations and shutdown of the federal government, including the process used for determining which employees were exempt from furlough; the decision to restrict… Read more »

Dear Secretary Jewell: This letter follows up on prior communications, including June 28, 2013 and July 29, 2013 letters requesting 15 categories of documents and information, about the Department of the Interior's ("Department") Secretarial Order 3321 ("Order"). This Order established the "National Blueways System," a "headwaters to mouth approach to river management." This information… Read more »