Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed ten bills, H.R. 237 (U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska), H.R. 3608 (U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.), H.R. 6108 (U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga.), H.R. 6345 (U.S. Rep. Stevan Pearce, R-N.M.) H.R. 6346 (U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.), H.R. 6355 (U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.), H.R. 6434 (U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J.), H. Res. 792 (U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y.), and S. 607 (U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.).

“These bills honor our heritage, lighten regulatory burdens for communities, increase transparency, and strengthen relationships between states and the federal government. Ultimately, these bills aim to bolster our country’s natural resources. I’d like to thank the Western Caucus and my colleagues for helping to move these bills forward,” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said.  

H.R. 237, reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

H.R. 3608, amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require publication on the Internet of the basis for determinations that species are endangered species or threatened species.

H.R. 6108, provides for partnerships among State and local governments, regional entities, and the private sector to preserve, conserve, and enhance the visitor experience at nationally significant battlefields of the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War.

H.R. 6345, provides for greater county and State consultation with regard to petitions under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

H.R. 6346, amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for consideration of the totality of conservation measures in determining the impact of proposed Federal agency action. 

H.R. 6355, amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to define petition backlogs and provide expedited means for discharging petitions during such a backlog. 

H.R. 6365, establishes the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Land Grant-Merced Claims Commission and other Federal policies for the restoration of land for hardships resulting from the incomplete and inequitable implementation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and affirms Land Grant-Merced property rights protected by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

H.R. 6434, amends section 7 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. 1244 note) to promote continued use of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory at Gateway National Recreation Area by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

H. Res. 792, urges the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente's place of death near Piñones in Loiza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places.

S. 607, establishes a business incubators program within the Department of the Interior to promote economic development in Indian reservation communities. 

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