Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources continued its series of full committee oversight hearings on how to improve and update the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Today’s hearing focused on ESA litigation and how attorneys’ fees are being used by certain organizations to continue endless lawsuits. Witnesses at the hearing detailed specific cases throughout the country where ESA… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 2578, The Conservation and Economic Growth Act a package of 14 public lands bills that will cut federal red tape, boost economic development, protect the environment, and create American jobs. “The Conservation and Economic Growth Act is aimed… Read more »

Today, as part of the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, the House will consider a measure by National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) to enhance border security on federal lands along the U.S. border. Title XIV is a common sense measure to ensure that Border Patrol has access to federal lands along the border and is not prohibited from doing… Read more »

Today, the House will consider the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, a package of fourteen Natural Resources Committee bills that will create new American jobs, grow the economy, and protect the environment. Title XIV of the package will include H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, legislation that enhances border security by ensuring that Border Patrol… Read more »

According to data recently obtained from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to document requests, the federal government has defended more than 570 Endangered Species Act (ESA)-related lawsuits costing U.S. taxpayers more than $15 million in attorney fees – in just the past four years. This data provides further evidence that the ESA has become litigation driven, where money and… Read more »

Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today announced that legislation to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park will be proceeding in both the House and Senate. As the House of Representatives is not in session this week for a congressional district work period, the House bill will be formally introduced early next week when the House reconvenes. The House Natural Resources… Read more »

Next week, the House of Representatives will consider the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, a package of 14 Natural Resources Committee bills. Among the bills included in the package is the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act [H.R. 1505], sponsored by National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01). Congressman Bishop will offer an… Read more »

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, a package of fourteen Natural Resources Committee bills that will create new American jobs, grow the economy, protect the environment and promote development of renewable hydropower. “This grouping of bills will advance important local projects and policies that will have a direct impact… Read more »

Spearheaded by Natural Resources Committee Member Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-01), as well as Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02) and Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Tim Johnson (D-SD), 166 Congressmen and Senators recently sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu expressing concerns over his memorandum to the Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs). The memorandum could… Read more »

The House of Representatives last night passed, in a bipartisan vote of 230-186, National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop’s (UT-01) Border Patrol Operations Enhancement Amendment to the FY 2013 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The amendment eliminates mitigation payments from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for purported “environmental… Read more »