Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on five bills ensuring the long-term operational certainty of the Lower Snake River dams, restoring accountability to federal management of the Mexican wolf and more. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:

"The Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee considers bills that reflect the importance of protecting our natural resources while also ensuring federal policy supports, rather than hinders, the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. These bills would safeguard critical hydropower infrastructure, restore accountability in wildlife management, support coastal communities, and strengthen water security. We are taking measures to preserve both our environment and our way of life. I look forward to continuing to advance solutions to balance conservation with the needs of the communities we represent."

Background

H.R. 2073, the Defending our Dams Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), prohibits any federal funds from being used to breach, study the breaching of, or functional alteration to, or provide dam removal technical assistance for the Lower Snake River dams. 

H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), delists the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act, nullifies U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rules from 2015 and 2022 and prevents the USFWS from considering the species status in Mexico when formulating future recovery plans, if the species is ever to be relisted. 

H.R. 4970, the Orland Project Water Management Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act to remove federal barriers to authorize the Orland Project to transfer water to the Central Valley Project when surplus is available. 

H.R. 3692, introduced by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), reauthorizes the Young Fishermen's Development Act, with all existing criteria and guardrails, through fiscal year 2031. 

H.R. 4256, the Digital Coast Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.) reauthorizes the Digital Coast Program, an online platform offering tools, training, and resources to help coastal communities make informed, data-driven decisions.