To read the River Policy Update online, visit American Rivers' Online Newsroom at www.americanrivers.org/policyupdates/default.htm and click on "River Policy Update." Week of July 9, 2001 IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE: * Energy policy * Appropriations * Congressional leadership * Global warming * Water policy * Take action * Jobs ENERGY POLICY House energy legislation House Resources Committee: The House Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to review legislation that will be included in the House Republican energy package, called the Energy Security Act. The legislation is expected to include, among other things, provisions that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development, promote offshore oil and gas development, provide for studies aimed at maximizing hydroelectric generation under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department, and implement measures to increase efficiency at some hydropower dams under the Interior's jurisdiction. Secretary of Interior Gale Norton is scheduled to testify. 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 11 in 1324 Longworth. House Energy and Commerce Committee: This week, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and air quality will begin markup of an energy conservation bill. The comprehensive energy legislation addresses five key areas including conservation, reformulated gasoline, hydropower relicensing, nuclear energy, and so-called "clean coal" technology. Hydropower industry advocates have criticized the lengthy licensing process brought on by "mandatory conditioning," which gives federal resource agencies the authority to demand some environmental safeguards during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) dam relicensing process. Conservationists argue that the energy bill would change the relicensing process in a way that would limit the authority of the Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service to adequately protect aquatic resources and riparian lands. Opening Statements: 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, in 2123 Rayburn Markup: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, in 2123 Rayburn House Ways and Means Committee: This Thursday, the House Ways and Means subcommittee on revenue measures is tentatively planning to meet to markup energy tax legislation. Expanded tax incentives for domestic oil and gas production, incentives for production of electricity from renewable resources, and tax code changes to promote energy conservation and alternative fuel vehicles may be included in the legislation. However, some members of the committee are expected to question whether the federal government can afford these tax credits in the wake of the recent tax cut. Tentative subcommittee markup: Thursday, time and location to be announced APPROPRIATIONS Supplemental appropriations bill Floor action on the Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY '01 was scheduled to begin Monday in the Senate. Prior to the Independence Day recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the $6.5 billion bill. An agreement was reached last week to include $20 million in the supplemental funding bill for drought-stricken Klamath Basin farmers. Interior funding Action in the Senate on the FY '02 Interior bill is expected this week following debate on the supplemental appropriations bill. Not included in the bill are several funding limitations approved in the House Interior bill, including language that would block final action on a controversial lease sale off the Florida coast, prevent the administration from opening new national monuments to energy exploration, and stop the Interior Department from revising recently finalized mining regulations. The Senate will take a second look at these issues on the floor or in conference with the House. Energy and Water funding This Thursday the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water development will mark up the FY '02 energy and water funding bill. The conservation community is vigorously opposed to a rider that Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) inserted in the House version of the bill that would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from revising Missouri and Mississippi river operations to benefit wildlife, and plans to fight the rider's inclusion in the Senate bill and in conference committee. 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. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) blocked a similar rider last year and is expected fight it again this year. Time TBA, Thursday, 366 Dirksen Agriculture funding The Appropriations committee will continue to work on amendments to the FY '02 Agriculture Appropriations Act on Wednesday. Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are expected to offer an amendment that would place a one year moratorium on Food and Drug Administration approval of genetically modified fish for human consumption. The environmental community has expressed concern that genetically altered fish may have unintended and unpredictable affects on wild fish and natural ecosystems. Fishermen and consumer groups have expressed similar concerns. In addition, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) is expected to seek an additional $5 million for flood control operations. Also, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) will offer an amendment to ensure that the Natural Resources Conservation Service does not withdraw existing support for the American Heritage Rivers Initiative. Two American Heritage Rivers, the Hudson River and the Upper Susquehanna/Lackawanna Watershed, are supported by funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Final passage of the agriculture funding bill is expected on Thursday. EPA funding This Tuesday, the House Appropriations subcommittee will markup the FY '02 EPA funding bill, which is included in the appropriations bill for Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and independent agencies. The Bush administration seeks to reduce funding by $500 million below the amount appropriated for FY '01. Markup: 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, in H-140 of the Capitol NOAA Funding This Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee will markup a $38.5 billion funding bill for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS's Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which funds state, local, and tribal salmon habitat and monitoring projects, would receive $110 million - $20 million more the Bush administration requested. NMFS would receive an additional $25 million for activities related to the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the United States and Canada. Markup: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, in 2359 Rayburn CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP After weeks of negotiations between parties, the Senate returns to work with Democrats in full control of its committees. Democrats will have a one-seat majority on every committee except the Ethics Committee, which has traditionally been equally divided, and no senator will lose his or her current committee assignments. GLOBAL WARMING This Tuesday the Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to examine possible options for limiting the effects of human activities on the Earth's climate. According to a committee announcement, "the committee seeks to achieve a balanced presentation of different views of technology and policy options, the benefits and consequences of each, and steps our nation could begin taking to address climate change." Hearing: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, in 253 Russell WATER RESOURCES Colorado River The House Resources water and power subcommittee held a hearing Monday in Salt Lake City to examine the water supply interests and concerns of the seven states through which the Colorado River flows. The hearing will focus on general oversight of river management issues and is expected to touch on California's ongoing attempts to comply with its allotment of Colorado River water. Hearing: 9:30 a.m., Monday, July 9, at the Department of Natural Resources in Salt Lake City, UT CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR Senate: Hearing on climate change Commerce Committee 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, 253 Russell Hearing on energy tax incentives Finance Committee 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, in 215 Dirksen. Hearing on energy tax incentives (continued) Finance Committee 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, in 215 Dirksen. Energy and water spending bill subcommittee markup Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water development 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 12, S-128 of the Capitol Hearing on national energy policy Energy and Natural Resources 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 12, in 366 Dirksen. Energy and water spending bill full committee markup Appropriations Committee 2 p.m., Thursday, July 12, S-128 of the Capitol Hearing on national energy policy (continued) Energy and Natural Resources 9:30 am, Friday, July 13, in 366 Dirksen House: Field Hearing on Colorado River use Resources Committee 9:30 am, Monday, July 9, Department of Natural Resources in Salt Lake City, UT Markup of energy bill Energy and Commerce Committee 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 10, 1324 Longworth Markup on EPA appropriations Appropriations Committee 3:00 pm, Tuesday, July 10, H-140 Capitol Opening statements on energy conservation bill Subcommittee on energy and air quality 4:00 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2123 Rayburn Markup of CJS appropriations (NOAA Funding) Appropriations Committee 5:30 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2359 Rayburn Markup of energy conservation bill Subcommittee on energy and air quality 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 11, 2123 Rayburn Hearing on Energy Security Act Resources Committee 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 11, 1324 Longworth 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://www.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 * 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. ************************************* To contact American Rivers, send an email to Rebecca Sherman at outreach@amrivers.org or call 202-347-7550.
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