To read the River Policy Update online, visit American Rivers' Online Newsroom at http://www.amrivers.org/policyupdates/update.htm and click on "River Policy Update." Week of July 2, 2001 IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE: * Congressional leadership * Agricultural policy * Water policy * Wildlife * Bush administration environmental nominees * Congressional calendar * Take action * Jobs CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP The Senate approved a new organizational structure late Friday. Democrats will gain one-seat majorities in all committees when Congress reconvenes after the Independence Day recess. AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES The House is expected to resume debate on the FY '02 agriculture appropriations bill when it returns from the Independence Day recess. The House bill, H.R. 2330, has received criticism from the environmental community, farmers, and some members of the Senate for its failure to include the Wetlands Reserve Program, Farmland Protection Program, and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. WATER POLICY Energy and Water bill: Auburn dam rider out, Missouri River rider in A controversial provision of the House FY '02 energy and water appropriations bill that would have provided for a new study of the Auburn Dam on the American River in California was struck before the bill was voted on. The withdrawal of the Auburn dam measure, which had been backed by Rep. John Doolittle (D-CA), clears the way for the August completion of an Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study on addressing flood control concerns by raising the existing Folsom dam. The full House passed the energy and water bill on Thursday without removing another rider, inserted by Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), that would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from revising Missouri and Mississippi river operations to benefit wildlife. The environmental community adamantly opposes this rider, and plans to target it when the Senate and House negotiate over the final energy and water bill. Conservationists argue that allowing a more natural seasonal rise and fall of water levels would not prevent traditional uses of the rivers or their floodplains, but that it is critical to the survival of several endangered species, including the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, and interior least tern. To encourage the Army Corps to revise its operation of Missouri River dams, American Rivers listed the Missouri as its number one Most Endangered River this year. WILDLIFE On the markup of the Interior appropriations bill for FY '02, the conservation community welcomed news last week that the Senate Appropriations Committee, like the House of Representatives, refused to attach riders backed by the Bush administration that would eliminate listing deadlines under the Endangered Species Act and fund a study of oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENTAL NOMINEES Last week President Bush nominated Donald Schregardus to head the Environmental Protection Agency's office of enforcement and compliance assurance. Schregardus worked for the EPA's Midwest office for 17 years, where he managed wastewater compliance and enforcement and conducted air, waste, and water studies. More recently he has worked as an environmental consultant. Conservationists expressed concern about Schregardus' commitment to enforcing environmental laws. Bush also nominated Marianne Lamont Horinko to be EPA assistant administrator for solid waste and emergency response. Horinko was attorney advisor to the assistant administrator for solid waste and emergency response during the first Bush administration. CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR Congress is in recess this week for the Independence Day holiday. 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/. JOBS American Rivers currently has a number of job openings. See our employment page at http://www.americanrivers.org/jobs/default.htm about the following opportunities: * Online Community Manager * Conservation Assistant-Outreach * Organizer/Outreach Specialist-Missouri River Campaign * Communications Assistant * River Restoration Financing Associate 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. *************************************
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