To read the River Policy Update online, visit American Rivers' Online Newsroom at http://www.americanrivers.org/policyupdates/update.htm and click on "River Policy Update." Week of July 30, 2001 IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE: * Energy policy * Appropriations * Parks * Land conservation * Take action * Special river trip deal * Jobs ENERGY POLICY House energy legislation This Tuesday the House Rules Committee will meet to set procedural guidelines for debate on the House Republican comprehensive energy package. Last week four separate committees (Energy and Commerce Committee, the Resources Committee, the Science Committee and the Ways and Means Committee) marked up four separate bills in three days and combined them into one consolidated package. Democrats have requested the ability to offer amendments to the most controversial sections - automobile fuel efficiency standards, West Coast electricity problems, tax provisions, oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, reformulated gasoline rules, alternative and renewable energy sources, and energy standards for appliances. The House leadership is expected to bring the energy package to the floor Wednesday or Thursday. APPROPRIATIONS Agriculture emergency assistance This week, the Senate will consider emergency agriculture assistance for FY'01. S.2646 would authorize using a $5.5 billion emergency reserve fund set aside in the FY'01 budget resolution to provide supplemental income assistance this fiscal year to farmers facing financial difficulties. The bill would also authorize the following spending in FY'02 for conservation-oriented programs that are not funded in the House or Senate versions of the FY'02 Agriculture Appropriations bill: $44 million for the Conservation Reserve Program, $200 million for the Wetlands Reserve Program, and $250 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), said the FY'02 funding would ensure the continued existence of these popular programs, but ranking Republican Richard Lugar (R-IN) questioned whether funding for such programs belonged in the FY'01 emergency assistance bill. Farm Conservation This Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing to examine agricultural conservation issues. The hearing is part of a series of hearing preceding the a markup of the Senate farm bill, which will succeed the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act. Last Friday, the House approved a 10-year Farm Bill reauthorization that would increase conservation spending by $16.5 billion, or 75 percent. Conservationists welcomed the House bill's funding increases, but criticized the bill for providing too little funding for technical assistance in several conservation programs, including the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, the Farmland Protection Program, and the Wetlands Reserve Program. Witnesses from the conservation community are expected to express their concerns at the Senate hearing. Hearing: 9:00 am, Tuesday, July 31, 328A Russell PARKS Niagara Falls This Tuesday, the Senate Energy Committee's Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a hearing on several parks bills, including S.1227, which would call upon the National Park Service to study possible designation of the American side of Niagara Falls State Park as a national heritage area. Hearing: 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 366 Dirksen LAND CONSERVATION Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund Last week the House Resources Committee adopted the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), H.R.701. Introduced by Congressmen Young (R- AK), Hansen (R-UT), and Tauzin (R-LA), CARA would use federal oil and gas receipts to fund land conservation, wildlife and recreation programs, as well as "impact aid" for coastal states. $3.125 billion would be dedicated to impact aid annually. Some conservationists support the bill, but many have opposed it, expressing concern that the bill inadequately constrains the use of royalty receipts to be devoted to conservation purposes, and creates an incentive for other states to support coastal drilling off Alaska. A vote is expected after the August recess. CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR Senate: Hearing on conservation, Farm Bill Agriculture Committee 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 31, 328A Russell Hearing on Idaho monument, other bills Energy and Natural Resources Committee 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 366 Dirksen Markup of comprehensive energy bill Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 366 Dirksen Hearing on vehicle emissions Environment and Public Works Committee 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 406 Dirksen Markup of comprehensive energy bill Energy and Natural Resources Committee 9:30 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 366 Dirksen. Joint hearing on fuel economy report Energy and Natural Resources Committee 2:30 p.m., Thursday, August 2, 216 Hart House: Hearing on solar building bill Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2253 Rayburn Markup and hearing on migratory ocean fish Resources Committee 10:00 a.m., Thursday August 2, 1324 Longworth Hearing on electricity regulation Government Reform Committee 2:00 p.m., Thursday August 2, 2154 Rayburn Hearing on Price-Anderson Act (nuclear power) Energy and Commerce Committee 9:30 a.m., Friday, August 3, 2322 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://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 * Development Assistant 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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