You can read this River Policy Update online! Click here: http://www.amrivers.org/policyupdates/update.htm American Rivers' Policy Update Week of June 18, 2001 IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE: * Appropriations * Energy policy * Water resources * Wildlife * Bush administration environmental nominees * Congressional calendar * Take action * Special trip deal * Jobs APPROPRIATIONS Agriculture Spending Bill This Thursday and Friday the House Appropriations Committee will consider the agricultural appropriations bill for FY 02. The bill would provide $15.67 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Agriculture, a $226 million increase over President Bush's request. Despite the increase in funding, a number of conservation programs were left out. Conservationists were disappointed to see no funding in the bill for Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, the Farmland Protection Program, or the Wetlands Reserve Program. However, a coalition of 38 environmental and religious groups is working to allocate a piece of the $5.5 billion supplemental agriculture spending measure to the forgotten conservation programs. Reps. Sherwood Boelhlert (R-NY) and Ron Kind (D-WI), have circulated a letter throughout the House urging more funding for agricultural conservation programs. Energy and Water Spending Bill This Tuesday the House Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water will markup the energy and water development spending bill for FY '02. Last week the full committee approved an allocation of $23.7 billion for the bill, a $1.2 billion increase over President Bush's request. Although negotiations will continue, committee staff and members agreed that the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive more money than proposed in the administration's budget request. The administration proposal would have cut Army Corps civil works funding by 14%. The administration hopes to change the Army Corps' operations and maintenance focus to port, harbor and channel projects that support large commercial navigation, with less emphasis on recreational projects. The administration has also called for changes in the Corps' procedures for evaluating major construction projects after an investigation found "an institutional bias" in favor of large development projects. Regarding another portion of the FY '02 energy and water spending bill, the administration has been criticized by the environmental community for proposed cuts to the Department of Energy's renewable energy program. The administration's proposed budget called for a 36% cut, but the revised renewable energy budget request is $276.7 million, a cut of approximately 25%. The budget amendment would fund research for hydrogen research, hydropower, and electric energy systems. Funding for biomass/biofuel systems, geothermal development, solar energy, wind energy and renewable support would continue to be below current funding. Markup: 4:30 pm, Tuesday, June 19 in 2362 Rayburn ENERGY POLICY California Price Caps This week the Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing on a controversial bill sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) that would place price caps on wholesale electricity in Western markets. Witnesses will include Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Curt Herbert, Jr. Despite the bipartisan sponsorship, support for the the bill is primarily Democratic. Whether markup proceeds this week hinges on the committee's reaction to Monday's FERC order imposing limited price caps on wholesale power in eleven Western states. Some Democrats criticized Monday's FERC action for not going far enough to control energy prices. Hearing: 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, in 106 Dirksen FERC representatives will testify again this Wednesday in front of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman planned a hearing to assess whether or not FERC is carrying out its duty to ensure "just and reasonable" rates in the wholesale market under the Federal Power Act. Hearing: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, in 342 Dirksen A hearing on conservation and energy efficiency was rescheduled for Friday by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and air quality. A hearing on hydropower and nuclear energy is also planned. Hearing: 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 22, in 2123 Rayburn This Wednesday the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing to assess energy policy and energy market stability and their impact on effective budget writing. Hearing: 10:00 am, Wednesday, June 20, in 210 Cannon WATER RESOURCES California Water Issues The House Resources water and power subcommittee will hold a hearing this week to investigate water quality and supply issues in California. Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) has recently introduced H.R. 1985, the Western Water Enhancement Act, a bill that would reauthorize federal-state management of water flowing into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay. It would also redirect funding toward water supply, water quality, and flood control infrastructure improvements. Opponents claim the bill would undermine commitments to environmental goals. According to Rep. George Miller (D-CA) passing the bill in its current state would "represent a serious setback to two-and-a-half decades of efforts in four administrations to bring environmental sensitivity, fiscal responsibility and statewide balance to water planning and management in California." The hearing is intended to address water supply issues generally, and not the Calvert bill. Hearing: 10:00 am, Monday, June 18, in the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA Small Dam Bill This Week the House Resources Forest Subcommittee will mark up HR 434, a bill that would authorize private groups to maintain several small dams and weirs in California's Emigrant Wilderness. The existing structures were to remain without future maintenance or improvements when the wilderness area was designated. The dams are generally less than two feet high. Conservationists have expressed concern that rebuilding these dams is unnecessary and would violate the principles underlying the establishment of wilderness areas Markup: 10:00 am, Thursday, June 21, in 1334 Longworth WILDLIFE Detroit River, International Wildlife Refuge This week the House Resources subcommittee on fisheries conservation, wildlife, and oceans will consider establishing the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Running between the cities of Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, the 18 mile river could be the first ever International Wildlife Refuge. Three outlined purposes of the bill are to 1) protect the remaining high quality fish and wildlife habitats; 2) authorize international efforts towards conservation; and 3) encourage cooperation in facilitating partnerships among the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian national and provincial authorities, state and local governments, local communities in the US and Canada, conservation organizations and other non federal entities. Hearing: 10:00 am, Thursday, June 21, in 1324 Longworth BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENTAL NOMINEES This Wednesday the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will meet to consider nominees for three Interior Department nominations. The committee will assign members to subcommittees before the hearing if an organizing resolution has been agreed to in the Senate. The three Interior Department appointments include Patricia Lynn Scarlett, to be assistant secretary for policy, management and budget; William Gerry Myers to be solicitor; and Bennett William Raley to be assistant secretary for water and science. CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR Senate: Hearing on price caps, FERC Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 am, Tuesday, June 19, in 106 Dirksen Markup of subcommittee assignments Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 am, Wednesday, June 20, in 366 Dirksen Hearing Interior appointees Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 am, Wednesday, June 20, in 366 Dirksen Hearing on price caps, FERC Governmental Affairs Committee 9:30 am, Wednesday, June 20, in 342 Dirksen Hearing on reformulated gas issues Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 am, Thursday, June 21, in 106 Dirksen House: Field Hearing on California water issues Resources Committee 10:00 am, Monday, June 18, in Cerritos CA Energy and water bill markup House Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water development 4:30 pm Tuesday, June 19 in 2362 Rayburn Hearing on budget impact of energy plan Budget Committee 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, in 210 Cannon Hearing on Detroit River wildlife refuge Resources Committee 10:00 am, Thursday, June 21, in 1324 Longworth Hearing on energy plan R&D Science Committee 10:00 am, Thursday, June 21, in 2318 Rayburn Markup on Emigrant small dam bill Resources forest subcommittee 10:00 am, Thursday, June 21, in 1334 Longworth Hearing on efficiency, conservation Energy and Commerce Committee 9:30 am, Friday, June 22, in 2123 Rayburn TAKE ACTION Follow the latest American Rivers' Action Alerts and Press Releases! Take action to help save America's Rivers. Visit http://www.amrivers.org/takeaction/. SPECIAL TRIP DEAL Go rafting in Cataract Canyon! Rapids, waterfalls, and ancient Pueblo ruins, all in the heart of Utah's Canyonlands National Park. Discount rate; several dates are available. A great trip for families! Click here for the itinerary and more information: http://away.com/postcards/american_rivers_members JOBS American Rivers currently has a number of job openings. See our employment page for the following opportunities: * Online Community Manager * Conservation Assistant-Outreach * Organizer/Outreach Specialist-Missouri River Campaign Questions? Contact Michael Garrity, Conservation Associate, at 202-347-7550. Legislative information taken from sources including: Environment and Energy Daily, Greenwire, Congressional Green Sheets, and members of the American Rivers conservation staff. ************************************* To contact American Rivers, send an email to Rebecca Sherman at outreach@amrivers.org or call 202-347-7550. *************************************
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council