Dear Secretary Vilsack: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the Obama Administration's development and implementation of its National Ocean Policy, which includes activities to develop ocean and coastal zoning plans, to regulate commercial and agricultural activities even in areas far removed from the coast, and to exclude local stakeholders from… Read more »

Dear Acting Undersecretary Sullivan: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the Obama Administration's development and implementation of its National Ocean Policy, which includes activities to develop ocean and coastal zoning plans, to regulate commercial and agricultural activities even in areas far removed from the coast, and to exclude local… Read more »

Dear Secretary Jewell: The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the Obama Administration's development and implementation of its National Ocean Policy, which includes activities to develop ocean and coastal zoning plans, to regulate commercial and agricultural activities even in areas far removed from the coast, and to exclude local stakeholders from… Read more »

Dear Director Mathews Burwell, Secretary Vilsack, and Chief Tidwell: A letter was sent to the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") on May 20, 2013 requesting information about the Forest Service's ("Service") decision demanding that states repay Secure Rural Schools Program ("SRS") funds. OMB missed the Committee's June 3, 2013 deadline for response. The original letter sought… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on “Why should Americans have to comply with the laws of foreign nations?” The hearing examined the Lacey Act and how the law has been amended to force Americans to comply with tens of thousands of foreign statutes, regulations, resolutions, and decrees. “We are… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on “A Washington, DC- Based Bureaucratic Invention with Potential Water Conservation and Property Rights Impacts: The National Blueways Order.” This hearing highlighted current and potential problems with the National Blueways Order, which imposes a federal watershed designation process with… Read more »

In the past week, gas prices have surged upwards of 14 cents across the country to a national average of $3.61 per gallon. Analysts, including Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy.com, point out that rising tensions in Egypt and the concern over disruption to oil production in the region have caused oil prices to spike here in the United States. It’s time for the U.S. to reduce its dependence on… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Republicans press Interior on status of offshore drilling rule” Houston Chronicle – Zain Shauk: “Gasoline prices surge nationwide” The Hill – Jordy Yager: “Native American tribes’ lawsuit could decide who controls Senate in 2015” Aspen Public Radio – Marci Krivonen: “Tribes in Western U.S. Use… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Forum News Service – TJ Jerke: “Cramer leads congressmen on North Dakota energy tour” E&E – John McArdle: “Panel to examine GOP criticisms of Lacey Act provisions” Associated Press: “Study urges spending on coastal restoration” Associated Press – Brett Zongker: “Redesign of Ike… Read more »

War on coal? Absolutely… Just this week, President Obama’s war on coal reared its ugly head. American Electric Power announced that it is closing its coal-fired power plant in Beverly, Ohio. This is on top of FirstEnergy’s announcement that it will close two coal fired power plants in Pennsylvania by October. Both companies cited environmental regulations as reasons for their… Read more »