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Water, Wildlife and Fisheries

DOI's Priorities Show Lack of Commitment to American Economy, Environment

| Posted in Press Release
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Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2022. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "It's very telling that the administration chose to roll out their budget more than three months behind schedule on a Friday before a holiday weekend, right when many…

Committee Republicans Offer Amendments to Lopsided, Partisan Legislation

| Posted in Press Release
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Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup, reporting a total of eight bills out of committee. Several of these bills were bipartisan, and passed by unanimous consent: H.R. 438, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), amends the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act to extend the deadline for a report by the Alyce…

Farmers, Other Westerners Testify on Impacts of Catastrophic Drought

| Posted in Press Release
WOW Subcommittee

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee Ranking Member Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) led a forum on the catastrophic drought situation across the American West.  "It says a lot that we have a diverse collection of western members and witnesses who can speak firsthand about the drought’s impacts,"…

Westerman Denounces Proposed MBTA Rule

| Posted in Press Release
WOW Subcommittee

Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a proposed rule to revoke the final regulation regarding the incidental take of migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "Legislators and government agencies have a responsibility to…

Westerman Denounces Rollback of MBTA Rule

| Posted in Press Release
WOW Subcommittee

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior’s delay of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA): “If a migratory bird dives down and gets caught in fishing net, this shouldn’t make the fisherman a felon. If a farmer accidentally hits a migratory bird in his truck while he’s…

Bishop Statement on Western Water Presidential Memo

| Posted in Press Release

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) issued the following statement after the release of a presidential memorandum seeking to enhance western water access and resources. “For many years, westerners have expressed their need for certainty and access to water and affordable, renewable hydropower. Today President Trump answered those requests by delivering…

ICYMI: At Interior, We’re Ready To Bring The Endangered Species Act Up To Date

| Posted in In Case You Missed It

By: Dep. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt The Washington Post A modern vision of conservation is one that uses federalism, public-private partnerships and market-based solutions to achieve sound stewardship. These approaches, combined with sensible regulations and the best available science, will achieve the greatest good in the longest term. Last month, the Trump…

House Passes Bill to Support Critical Water Infrastructure for Tribes, Local Communities

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3281, the Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act. Introduced by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), this bipartisan bill establishes a voluntary, streamlined process for local utilities, states or tribes to pursue title transfers. “Our communities can’t flourish without access to water. That’s why this…

House Passes Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization with Bipartisan Support

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, the bipartisan Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. Introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the bill reauthorizes and modernizes the Magnuson-Stevens Act by implementing regional flexibility, tailored management practices and improved data collection for America’s federal…

Committee Hears from Stakeholders on Importance of a Healthy Ocean Economy

| Posted in Press Release

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans staff held a roundtable with representatives from ocean-dependent communities to discuss opportunities for regulatory reform that will provide certainty for working waterfronts and promote vibrant and sustainable coastal economies. Chairman Bishop issued the following…