Bipartisan House-Senate Agreement on Natural Resources Provisions in NDAA
This bipartisan House-Senate agreement supports American job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improve the management of our public lands and natural resources while protecting treasured areas.
The bills in the agreement will create thousands of American jobs, cut red-tape to energy production on federal lands, boost American mineral production, protect multiple-use and public recreation on federal lands, convey over 100,000 acres of federal land for job-creating economic and community development, protect treasured lands through the measured establishment of locally-supported parks and wilderness areas, and provide new sources of private dollars to support America’s National Parks.
All of the bills included in this agreement have undergone public review in the House or Senate, and the majority have already passed the House or Senate.
This legislation helps update the ESA to the 21st Century by making the law more effective for both species and people. Even the Obama Administration’s Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that there could be “opportunities to make incremental improvements” to the ESA.
Expanding American Energy & Mineral Production
Boosts new oil and natural gas production on federal lands by reducing permit delays, providing regulatory certainty to American job creators, preventing the Obama Administration from increasing costs, and extending a successful pilot program that helps the Bureau of Land Management deal with a backlog of drilling permit applications. Supported by the Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Petroleum Institute, Western Energy Alliance, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, American Exploration & Production Council, America’s Natural Gas Alliance, National Association of Manufacturers, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Responsibly facilitates several proposed mineral development projects, which includes allowing for opening up the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world – supporting nearly 3,700 American jobs, creating $61.4 billion in total economic impact, generating nearly $20 billion in federal, state, county and local tax revenue, and producing enough copper to meet 25 percent of current U.S. demand. Widespread local and national support includes the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the National Mining Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers.
Protecting Jobs and Multiple-Use of Federal Lands
Reduces grazing permit backlogs and adds needed certainty to America’s ranching community. Supported by over 30 organizations including the public lands council, American Sheep Industry Association, Association of National Grasslands, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Updates fee structure to provide predictable, fair rates so families are not forced to tear down cabins they own in national forests. Supported by the National Forest Homeowners.
Balancing Conservation Designations with Federal Land Conveyances
Provides for over 110,000 acres of land to be conveyed out of federal ownership – to be utilized for economic development (including mineral production, timber production, infrastructure projects) and community development (ie, local cemetery, shooting range). This includes responsibly settling land claims for Alaska Natives.
Supports America’s National Parks by providing new means of enhancing private funding (through donor recognition and the issuance of a commemorative coin to recognize the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016) and by designating a select number of new park units that have strong local support.
Designates approximately 245,000 acres of wilderness in specific areas with strong local and Congressional support. Nearly half of those acres are already managed as if it were wilderness due to its current status as a roadless or wilderness study area.
Releases 26,000 acres of current wilderness study areas to multiple use.
Protects private property owners in land designations by ensuring that no private property can be condemned.
