Environment

Southern Arizona has tremendous potential in solar power, and that would reap enormous environmental benefits over fossil fuels. During my short time in the House, I have become a recognized leader in promoting solar energy.

Please visit my solar page to learn more and to read my solar blog. You can also sign up for my Solar E-Newsletter to receive bi-monthly updates from the solar frontier.

Energy Policy

I voted for the largest congressional increase in vehicle fuel efficiency requirements in a generation (a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020). This was signed into law in December, 2007. I also voted for a national Renewable Electricity Standard (15% by 2020). This was dropped from the energy package, but I will continue to push for this policy.

I am fighting hard for an extension of Renewable Energy Tax Credits to keep our renewable energy industries strong and growing. In addition to introducing H.R. 3807 (see above), I have voted in favor of similar measures 4 separate times. I will continue to fight for this critical measure until it becomes law.

Climate Change Legislation

In the 110th Congress, I was a cosponsor of the Safe Climate Act.  This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate: (1) targets for a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year from 2010-2050; and (2) utilizing an emissions cap and trade system in order to meet those targets. It would also impose penalties for excess emissions.

Buffelgrass

Buffelgrass is an invasive species that threatens to overwhelm the Sonoran desert of Southern Arizona. In the process it is destroying native animal and plant species (including the iconic Saguaro Cactus) and exposing our communities to a dramatically increased risk of catastrophic fire. Buffelgrass is a scourge that must be taken seriously, which is why I have requested federal appropriations to help tackle the problem.  Click here to watch a short public interest video about this issue.

Withdrawing Public Lands from Eligibility for Mining

On November 15, 2007, I became an original cosponsor of H.R. 4228, a bill to withdraw public lands in Pima and Santa Cruz counties from eligibility for future mining claims.  In June I signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 5583, the Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act, which would withdraw public lands on the north rim of the Grand Canyon from eligibility for future mining claims.

Environmental Impact Statement Process for Proposed Rosemont Mine
In March of 2008, the U.S. Forest Service initiated the scoping process for an environmental impact statement for the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine. Originally restricted to just 30 days, I intervened with the USFS to extend the process to 120 days and improve opportunities for public involvement.  Throughout this process, I have worked closely with the community and the Forest Service to ensure the process is comprehensive and transparent. I am not in favor of this proposed project. I will continue to fight to ensure that all voices are heard and that all impacts on our community’s valuable resources (land, water, wildlife, scenic beauty, road safety, noise, etc.) are taken into account as this project is considered.

Hardrock Mining Reform
On November 1, 2007, I joined 243 of my House colleagues to pass H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act, providing for long overdue reform of the 1872 mining law.  The reform bill would implement a royalty for extracting minerals from public lands, establish new environmental requirements for mining operations, and create a fund for the rehabilitation of abandoned mines.

Clean Water Act Protections

I strongly support the preservation of Clean Water Act protections for rivers and streams (including intermittent rivers and streams) in southern Arizona and I support the designation of the Santa Cruz River as a traditionally navigable waterway.  I support the intent of H.R. 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act, which is to ensure Clean Water Act protections as they have been understood and implemented since the 1970s.  But I have some concerns with the current language of H.R. 2421 in that I believe it could inadvertently create legal confusion or unnecessarily expand federal regulation. I am working directly with the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment to ensure that the language of H.R. 2421 achieves its intent without these unintended consequences.

Environmental Conservation on the International Border with Mexico

I have spearheaded a multi-stakeholder planning process, involving the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Interior, and numerous southern Arizona environmental groups to implement a program to track environmental impacts of the new border fence.  I am working to ensure that the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area receives the highest priority for environmental monitoring and, if necessary, mitigation.

Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Expansion

I have introduced H.R. 3617, the Las Cienegas Enhancement and Saguaro National Park Boundary Adjustment Act, a land swap that would increase the size of both the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (by 2,392 acres) and Saguaro National Park (by 160 acres).

Saguaro National Park Expansion

I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 764, the Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act of 2007. This legislation will expand the boundary of the park by 583 acres of private land to include adjacent ecologically significant land and riparian wildlife habitat. This action will protect valuable natural resources and some of the last remaining productive riparian areas near the park, and maintain wildlife movement corridors.

Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

I am an original cosponsor of HR 1885, legislation that would establish the Santa Cruz Valley as a National Heritage Area. The provisions in this bill passed the House on October 24, 2007.  This Heritage designation will bring our community together and stimulate our local economy with an increase in jobs, new investment opportunities, and increased property values. National Heritage Areas require that preservation and conservation efforts be based on voluntary decision making at the local level.

National Scenic Trail Designation for the Arizona Trail

I have introduced H.R. 2297, a bill that would amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Arizona Trail as a National Scenic Trail. This beautiful trail stretches for approximately 807 miles from Utah to Mexico through some of the most renowned mountains, canyons, deserts and forests in Arizona. Designating it as a National Scenic Trail will afford it national protection.

Madera Canyon

In mid-October 2007 I publicly expressed my opposition to a housing development proposed for the open grasslands just below the entrance to Madera Canyon.  Since then, I have been working to bring stakeholders to the table to explore options for conserving this valuable open space.

National Landscape Conservation System

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2016, the National Landscape Conservation System Act. This bill would codify in statute the Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System: 26 million acres of the most pristine lands and waters managed by BLM.  The Act would provide official Congressional authorization for the system that encompasses more than 866 units, including all the agency’s National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilde and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails, Wilderness, and Wilderness Study Areas.  The bill passed the House on April 9, 2007.

Letters and Floor Speeches on Critical Environmental Issues

I have repeatedly joined with House colleagues to demand that executive branch agencies preserve our nation’s precious natural heritage:

• I joined 75 of my colleagues on a letter to the Secretary of the Interior to state my concern about draft regulations that would have permitted industrial practices to continue in some circumstances, even if those activities were to threaten endangered species.
• I joined a letter to the Director of the National Park Service urging that she reject increased snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone Park and work toward gradual phase-out of snowmobiles in the park entirely.
• I signed a letter to the Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management urging them not to designate off-road vehicle routes on inventoried roadless lands, especially when such lands contain undocumented archeological resources.
• I have repeatedly sent letters to House Leadership and given floor statements in favor of extending the renewable energy tax credits that are currently slated to expire at the end of this year.