House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today unveiled a draft proposal to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which was last authorized by Congress in 2006 through fiscal year 2013. The draft proposal, H.R. ____ Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, would renew and amend the… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following statement at today’s Full Committee hearing previewing several activities and focuses for next year:
“Before proceeding with today’s hearing, there are several general announcements that I would like to make regarding Committee business.
This is the last hearing of the year, and as those gathered… Read more »
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 1308 the “Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act” by a vote of 22-16. This legislation is aimed at protecting endangered Columbia River salmon and other fish species from predation by California and Steller Sea Lions. The bill only addresses sea lions that are not listed under the Endangered Species… Read more »
Last week, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren took a look at Northeastern fishermen whose businesses have been affected by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources held a hearing on the "Re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act" where witnesses called for increased flexibility in the Re-authorization of the act.
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 »
The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up:
Associated Press – Matthew Daly: “Report: Wildlife agency ignored whistle-blowers”
Tri-City Herald – Geoff Folsom: “Franklin County farmer testifies in Washington, D.C., to protect bladderpod”
Capital Press – Tim Hearden: “Hastings bill aims to improve forest management, prevent wildfires”
The World – Thomas Moriarty:… Read more »
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today sent a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dan Ashe seeking additional information following the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Management Advisory, issued on July 11, 2013, regarding the FWS’s inaction on whistleblower complaints related to violations of the… Read more »
Dear Director Ashe:
The Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General ("OIG") recently issued a Management Advisory regarding the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's ("Service") inaction on certain whistleblower complaints related to violations of the scientific integrity policy. Concerns have been raised that the Service failed to take timely and appropriate management action… Read more »
A House Natural Resources subcommittee heard testimony yesterday on four bills on a variety of wildlife species -- one to lift restrictions on polar bear trophies, another to allow the export of certain protected snakes and two to combat an invasion of Asian carp.
The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs took up Alaska Republican Don Young's H.R. 1818, which… Read more »
The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up:
The Hill – Zack Colman: “Senior House GOP lawmaker revives offshore drilling bill”
Fuel Fix – Jennifer Hiller: “Texas leads nation in drilling activity – by a lot”
Bloomberg: “California lawmakers turn down moratorium on fracking”
New York Times –Jess Bidgood: “Massachusetts: State Sues Over Cod Limits”
Auburn Citizen… Read more »
