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 »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on “A Roadmap for Increasing our Water and Hydropower Supplies: The Need for New or Expanded Multi-Purpose Surface Storage Facilities.” This hearing examined the growing need for and the multiple-use benefits of increased water storage and ways to expedite the construction of such… Read more »

Today, Chairman Hastings addressed coal miners from across the country at the “Rally for American Energy Jobs” in Washington D.C. to send a message to the Obama Administration to STOP the war on coal, coal jobs, and reliable and affordable electricity. Since taking office, President Obama has made his contempt for coal clear with a regulatory assault on this abundant natural energy… Read more »