The U.S. Capitol Historical Society last night unveiled the official portrait of House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04).  Chairman Hastings, first elected to Congress in 1994, was selected by his colleagues at the beginning of the 111th Congress to serve as the top Republican on the House Committee on Natural Resources and served as Chairman of the Committee… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “Volcano Hazards: Exploring the National Preparation and Response Strategy.” This hearing examined the current state of volcanic hazards in the United States and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program that is designed to address these hazards, alert… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today on the Obama Administration’s listing of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act: “Despite the considerable work and significant investments from the states of Colorado and Utah, the Obama Administration took a drastic step today by listing the Gunnison… Read more »

ICYMI: Lawmakers urge agencies to cut red tape on power-line maintenance Phil Taylor E&E Daily Published: Thursday, May 8, 2014 In a rare show of bipartisanship, Republicans and Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee yesterday urged federal agencies to make it easier for utilities to manage power lines crossing federal forests. The Forest Service and Bureau… Read more »

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01), and 16 Members of Congress sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell expressing ongoing concerns with the Department’s potential future listing of the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would extend the public comment period an additional 60 days for the proposed critical habitat designation of the western yellow-billed cuckoo. The Service’s actions are in direct response to a letter sent to the Service’s… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) sent a letter today to Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell responding to her September 9th letter on the Committee’s oversight efforts.   In the letter, Chairman Hastings explains how the Department has still not fully complied with subpoenas and oversight requests for documents, how the Department is… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement to unilaterally designate almost half of the Angeles National forest as the San Gabriel National Monument amid local opposition and without public input. “President Obama once again is using unilateral action to lock up hundreds of thousands of acres… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) along with 17 Members of Congress sent a letter to the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dan Ashe, urging the Service to extend the comment period for the proposed critical habitat designation of the western yellow-billed cuckoo. This proposed listing, driven by a 2011 court mega-settlement and not by sound… Read more »

Yesterday, during a speech at Northwestern University, President Obama touted America’s abundant energy resources, including natural gas, and the jobs it provides:  “Our 100-year supply of natural gas is a big factor in drawing jobs back to our shores.” The President may sing the praises of natural gas in public speeches, but in reality, the actions of his Administration will… Read more »