The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Lawmakers press Interior to slow down on fracking rules” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Unlikely alliance: Political foes plea for more time on fracturing rule” The Hill – Zack Colman: “White House threatens veto of Keystone bill” Fuel Fix – David R. Baker:… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing featuring testimony by Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association. The hearing highlighted the challenges of western states regarding federal and state land management. At the hearing, Members and Governor Herbert discussed how states are able to find their own… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Wall Street Journal – Kim Murphy: “Alaska governor launches bid to measure oil in Arctic refuge” Joplin Globe – Andy Ostmeyer: “Federal agency proposes adding two Missouri mussels to endangered species list” Washington Examiner editorial: “Do 'Right by Ike' with scaled-down memorial” Washington Examiner – Eric P.… Read more »

Last week, the Department of the Interior released the most recent iteration of a rule to regulate hydraulic fracturing on federal and tribal lands. As part of the rulemaking, the Department of the Interior has proposed to provide 30 days for public comment on this revised draft rule. We jointly believe that this timeframe is unacceptable and not nearly long… Read more »

Dear Director Matthews Burwell: In March 2013, the Forest Service ("Service") began demanding states return $17.9 million they had received - and in many cases already spent - under the Secure Rural Schools Program ("SRS"). Congress has authorized this money to help pay for schools and services in areas where environmental lawsuits and federal government mismanagement… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) sent letters to the National Park Service, General Services Administration, and Eisenhower Memorial Commission seeking information about the activities and costs associated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the… Read more »

Dear Mr. Tangherlini: The Eisenhower Memorial Commission ("Commission") was created in 1999 and charged with "memorializing Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in World War II and as the 34th President of the United States." While there is significant cost associated with the design and construction of a presidential memorial,… Read more »

Dear Mr. Siciliano and Brig. Gen. Reddel: The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission's ("Commission") Fiscal Year 2014 budget request seeks a total of $51 million to pay for the construction of the planned Eisenhower Memorial and the salaries and expenses of the Commission itself. This would be in addition to the $63 million total that has already been appropriated for… Read more »

Dear Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Whitesell: In addition to the lens of millions of dollars already spent to design the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, millions more would be needed to pay for the construction and upkeep of the Memorial as currently designed. The National Park Service is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of memorials on the National Mall and would be… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled “The 2008 Lacey Act Amendments.” The hearing focused on the significant May 2008 expansion of the Lacey Act to include all plants and plant products. “The full House was never given the opportunity to debate or amend the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments. The language was added in the… Read more »