Washington, D.C. (August 27, 2013) – The U.S. Department of the Interior notified states yesterday that it will return over $100 million in mineral royalty payments to states as a result of lawmakers’ call for states to be rightfully paid under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA). Western Caucus Co-ChairsSteve Pearce and Cynthia Lummis released the following statements in response to the news: Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Thursday U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) and the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee (Doc Hastings (R-WA)), announced an Oversight Field Hearing entitled, “State and Local Efforts to Protect Species, Jobs, Property and Multiple Use Amidst a New War on the West.” The hearing is part of a larger effort by Rep. Hastings and Rep. Lummis as co-chairmen of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group to find ways to improve the ESA for both species and people. The Casper hearing will focus on efforts in Wyoming to preserve wildlife while maintaining good paying jobs in agriculture, energy, and recreation. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today President Obama signed into law the bipartisan Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The legislation speeds development of small hydropower projects throughout the country. McMorris Rodgers released the following statement. Read more »
Washington—Today, Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05) released on the following statement urging President Obama to approve the Keystone Pipeline as soon as possible. Read more »
Washington, DC (August 1, 2013)– Today, U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce voted for H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain approval from the Secretary of Energy before issuing rules with an estimated direct and indirect cost of more than $1 billion. Read more »
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Lummis (R-Wyo.) supported passage through the House Natural Resources Committee of a trio of bills aimed at solving Wyoming problems. HR 2728,the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act, would prevent the Obama Administration from imposing duplicative regulations on hydraulic fracturing in Wyoming. HR 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, would expedite the treatment of at-risk Wyoming forests and provide a deficit-friendly source of revenue to timber-dependent Wyoming counties. HR 1684,the Ranch A Consolidation and Management Improvement Act, would remove federal restrictions on Wyoming’s ability to manage the historic Ranch A in Beulah, Wyoming. All three bills are now ready for consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller and Representative Mark Amodei (NV-2) today met with top officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior to discuss actions that can be taken to help prevent the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of the sage grouse, as well as the negative impact such a listing would have on the economic growth and development of the Silver State. The “Sage Hen Summit” featured key federal land managers and policy makers from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Representative Dina Titus (NV-1) was able to join for the conclusion of the meeting. And Representatives Joe Heck (NV-3) and Steven Horsford (NV-4) were unable to attend, but did send staff. Read more »
In an effort to speed the cleanup of abandoned mines throughout Colorado, Senator Mark Udall and Congressman Scott Tipton introduced bipartisan legislation today to give Good Samaritan groups additional binding legal safeguards they need to remediate the sites and keep Colorado's streams and water clean. There are more than 7,000 abandoned hard rock mine sites located in Colorado and thousands more throughout the West. Read more »
The Truth About Yosemite
August 1, 2013
Mr. Speaker:
Yosemite Valley is a national treasure that was set aside in 1864 with the promise it would be preserved for the express purpose of “Public Use, Resort and Recreation.” Ever since, Americans have enjoyed a host of recreational opportunities and amenities as they have come to celebrate the splendor of the Valley.
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