NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today praised the passage of the Carl Levin & Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which included a bipartisan agreement (Title 30) on provisions under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. "This agreement represents a balanced approach to public lands management. It will create thousands of new jobs, support energy a...... read more

The House of Representatives today passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 by a bipartisan vote of 300 to 119, which included a provision authored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) to establish a fair, predictable fee-setting system for families who own cabins in our National Forests. “This provision will provide certainty and fairness to thousands of families, including a number in Central Washington, who own cabins on Forest Service land by creati...... read more

Federal land exchanges in the National Defense Authorization Act Daniel McGroarty, President of American Resources Policy Network The Hill, Congress Blog December 4, 2014 In the December dash to act on must-pass legislation in the waning days of the 113th Congress, there are real risks that ill-advised initiatives will make their way into law. Then again, the pressure on both branches of Congress to actually act can sometimes produce that rarest of results – demonstrating that sound policy is s...... read more

Bipartisan agreement has been reached on the natural resources provisions that will be included within this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House-Senate agreement supports American job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improve the management of our public lands and natural resources while protecting treasured areas. For multiple Congresses, the NDAA has included provisions within the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Sen...... read more

“The IG was supposed to be independent, was supposed to have unfettered access to all material, and was to share whatever they found with the Congress,” said Rep. Doc Hastings, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee that oversees the Interior Department. “With Mary Kendall, we have found that to be simply not the case. She has said in front of our committee that they withhold some stuff so they can continue to have a relationship with the department…I’m sorry. That’s not what the IG ...... read more

House passes NDAA with major parks, development package Phil Taylor E&E News December 4, 2014 The House today voted 300-119 to pass the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill, including what would be the biggest package of public lands, wilderness, parks and energy bills in nearly six years. The defense bill would designate nearly 250,000 acres of wilderness in five Western states, protect roughly...... read more

Federal land exchanges in the National Defense Authorization Act Daniel McGroarty, President of American Resources Policy Network The Hill, Congress Blog December 4, 2014 In the December dash to act on must-pass legislation in the waning days of the 113th Congress, there are real risks that ill-advised initiatives will make their way into law. Then again, the pressure on both branches of Congress...... read more

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today praised the passage of the Carl Levin & Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which included a bipartisan agreement (Title 30) on provisions under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. "This agreement represents a ...... read more

The House of Representatives today passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 by a bipartisan vote of 300 to 119, which included a provision authored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) to establish a fair, predictable fee-setting system for families who own cabins in our National Forests. “This provision will provide certainty and fairness to thousands of...... read more

Bipartisan agreement has been reached on the natural resources provisions that will be included within this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House-Senate agreement supports American job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improve the management of our public lands and natural resources while protecting treasured areas. For multiple Congresses, the NDAA ...... read more

Click on the 'Comment' link and post your question to the Secretary here. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Post by House Committee on Natural Resources. ... read more

Wednesday, March 19th the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing in Fresno, CA on "California Water Crisis and Its Impacts: The Need for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions." This field hearing is designed to focus on the need to resolve differences in order to bring immediate and long-term water supplies to the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California. The lack of ra...... read more

Examiner Editorial: Fighting waste and fraud requires junkyard dogs, not pawns Washington Examiner March 13, 2014 When Congress and President Carter approved creation of the present inspector general program in 1978, the new officials were intended to be the front line of attack against waste and fraud in the federal government. Federal spending was just over $400 billion that year. Washington wi...... read more

This week the House will consider H.R. 3964, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Emergency Water Delivery Act, introduced by the Republican California delegation, addresses the emergency drought in California by restoring some water supplies San Joaquin Valley Farmers. The lack of rainfall has exacerbated the man-made drought caused by federal regulations and environmental lawsuits. On January 17, 2...... read more

America can count on reliable and affordable electricity from coal for the foreseeable future. This will only happen if the Obama Administration stops its constant attacks on this abundant resource. In 2013, coal provided America with 40% of America’s electricity while providing countless direct and indirect jobs. Many communities around the country rely upon coal for their livelihoods. Needless t...... read more

On Thursday, September 18, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) addressed the House floor in support of H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 4, the Jobs for America Act.

Oversight Hearing on "The Status of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Responses to Committee Subpoenas and the Continued Lack of Transparency about Its Implementation and Enforcement of American Wildlife Laws, and Oversight of the Department of the Interior’s Solicitor’s Office."

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following floor statement in support of H.R. 4315, the Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) addressed the House floor in support of H.R. 4899, the Lowering Gas Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act.

• Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast

Legislative Hearing on:

• ​H.R. 3099 ​(Jeff Miller), To provide for the development of a fishery management plan for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper, and for other purposes.

Member Statements:

The Honorable John Fleming 
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

​​The Honorable Jeff Miller
Member of Congress
1st District of Florida

PANEL II

Mr. Samuel D. Rauch III
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Honorable Robert J. Barham
Secretary
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Christopher Blankenship
Director
Marine Resources Division
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
(Truth in Testimony Form)

PANEL III

Mr. David A. Cresson
President and CEO
Louisiana Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association 
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Bob Gill
Board Member
Gulf Seafood Institute
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Captain Jim Green
Vice President
Destin Charter Boat Association 
Gulf of Mexico Charter Fisherman
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Harlon Pearce 
Owner
Harlon's LA Fish
Kenner, Louisiana
(Truth in Testimony Form) 

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - November 25, 2014
• Subcommittee Witness List - December 4, 2014

... read more

• Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast

Oversight Hearing on:

• "Is the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Being Properly Managed?"

Member Statements:

The Honorable John Fleming
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

Panel I:

Mr. Kevin Foerster
Regional Chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Pacific Region
United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Mr. Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan Photographic Arts
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Mike Daak
Hilo, Hawaii

Dr. James M. D'Angelo, USAF Retired
Chairman
International Midway Memorial Foundation
(Truth in Testimony Form)
​

Background:

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1988 and in 1999 it was designated by the Congress as a National Memorial to honor and remember the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway in June of 1942 was one of the most important battles of World War II and one of the most decisive naval battles in world history. 

Since Congress designated the Memorial in 1999, the public has frequently been denied access. Witnesses at this hearing will offer testimony on the importance of allowing public access to this Memorial and give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the opportunity to explain why it has repeatedly been denying the public the opportunity to honor those who valiantly fought in the Battle of Midway.  

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - November 12, 2014
• Subcommittee Witness List - November 18, 2014

... read more

• Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast

Oversight Hearing on:

• "Volcano Hazards: Exploring the National Preparation and Response Strategy"

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doug Lamborn
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

Dr. Charles Mandeville 
Volcano Hazards Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey

Mr. Tom Drean
Director and State Geologist 
Wyoming State Geological Survey

Mr. Gordon Ito
Insurance Commissioner 
State of Hawaii

Dr. Shanaka de Silva
Professor
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Darryl Oliveira (via video conference)
Director
Hawaii County Civil Defense 

Background:

This hearing will examine the current state of volcanic hazards in the United States and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program that is designed to address these hazards, alert communities to pending eruptions, and mitigate devastating impacts to communities within the hazard zones. This hearing is especially timely in light of the  current encroachment of an active lava flow into a residential neighborhood in Hawaii.

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - November 10, 2014
• Subcommittee Witness List - November 18, 2014 

... read more

• Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast

Full Committee Markup on:

• H.R. 1561 (Gardner),To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make improvements to support facilities for National Historic Sites operated by the National Park Service, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 1785 (Reichert), To establish the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in the State of Washington, and for other purposes.  (Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area Act)
• H.R. 4220 (Nolan), To authorize the exchange of certain Federal land and non-Federal land in the State of Minnesota.  (School District 318 Land Exchange Act)
• H.R. 4668 (Young of Alaska), To provide for the retention and future use of certain land on Point Spencer in Alaska, to support the statutory missions and duties of the Coast Guard, to convey certain land on Point Spencer to the Bering Straits Native Corporation, to convey certain land on Point Spencer to the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.  (Point Spencer Coast Guard and Public-Private Sector Infrastructure Development Facilitation and Land Conveyance Act)
• H.R. 4924 (Gosar), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement and the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Agreement, to provide for the lease of certain land located within Planet Ranch on the Bill Williams River in the State of Arizona to benefit the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and to provide for the settlement of specific water rights claims in the Bill Williams River watershed in the State of Arizona.  (Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2014)
  • Note that Members should draft amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 4924, which is available on the committee website at http://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedFiles/GOSAR_188_xml.pdf
• H.R. 4979 (Thornberry), To provide legal certainty to property owners along the Red River in Texas, and for other purposes.  (Red River Private Property Protection Act)
• H.R. 5086 (Fortenberry),To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5176 (Lujan, Ben Ray), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to retire coal preference right lease applications for which the Secretary has made an affirmative commercial quantities determination, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5699 (Miller of California), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 44 acres of land in Martinez, California, and for other purposes.  (John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act)

Committee Action Summary:

The Committee on Natural Resources met in open session on November 19, 2014, to consider the following bills:

H.R. 1561 (Gardner), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make improvements to support facilities for National Historic Sites operated by the National Park Service, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1561 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 1785 (Reichert), To establish the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in the State of Washington, and for other purposes. (Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area Act)

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1785 by unanimous consent.

An amendment by Mr. Hastings of Washington.046 was AGREED TO by voice vote.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote.

H.R. 4220 (Nolan), To authorize the exchange of certain Federal land and non-Federal land in the State of Minnesota. (School District 318 Land Exchange Act)

The Subcommittees on Energy and Mineral Resources and Public Lands and Environmental Regulation were discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4220 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4668 (Young of Alaska), To provide for the retention and future use of certain land on Point Spencer in Alaska, to support the statutory missions and duties of the Coast Guard, to convey certain land on Point Spencer to the Bering Straits Native Corporation, to convey certain land on Point Spencer to the State of Alaska, and for other purposes. (Point Spencer Coast Guard and Public-Private Sector Infrastructure Development Facilitation and Land Conveyance Act)

The Subcommittees on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs and Public Lands and Environmental Regulation were discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4668 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4924 (Gosar), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement and the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Agreement, to provide for the lease of certain land located within Planet Ranch on the Bill Williams River in the State of Arizona to benefit the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and to provide for the settlement of specific water rights claims in the Bill Williams River watershed in the State of Arizona. (Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2014)

The Subcommittee on Water and Power was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4924 by unanimous consent.

An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Mr. Gosar.188 was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4979 (Thornberry), To provide legal certainty to property owners along the Red River in Texas, and for other purposes. (Red River Private Property Protection Act)

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4979 by unanimous consent.

An amendment by Mr. Bishop of Utah.076, offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington, was AGREED TO by voice vote.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote.

H.R. 5086 (Fortenberry), To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5086 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 5176 (Lujan, Ben Ray), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to retire coal preference right lease applications for which the Secretary has made an affirmative commercial quantities determination, and for other purposes.

The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5176 by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 5699 (Miller of California), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 44 acres of land in Martinez, California, and for other purposes. (John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act)  

An amendment offered by Mr. DeFazio Amendment #1 was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.

Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.

Related Documents:

• Full Committee Markup Notice - November 17, 2014

... read more

• Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast

Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 4924 (Gosar), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement and the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement
  Agreement, to provide for the lease of certain land located within Planet Ranch on the Bill Williams River in the State of Arizona to benefit the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and to provide for the settlement of specific water rights claims in the Bill Williams River watershed in the State of Arizona. “Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2014”

Member Statements:

The Honorable Tom McClintock
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

The Honorable Marietta J. Pagilawa
Council Member
Hualapai Tribe 
Peach Springs, Arizona

Mr. Francis McAllister
Vice President of Land & Water
Freeport Minerals Corporation
Phoenix, Arizona
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Thomas Buschatzke
Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Phoenix, Arizona
(Truth in Testimony Form)

The Honorable Michael Black
Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice- September 12, 2014
• Subcommittee Witness List - September 19, 2014

... read more

Official portrait unveiling of Chairman Doc Hastings... read more

TRULY SCARY FACT #1: Energy production on federal lands is still faltering, despite a boom on private and state lands. The Obama administration admitted last month that an increase in domestic production will lower energy prices for consumers, yet their policies have not changed. SCARY FACT #2: The Obama admin is continuing a costly and unnecessary rewrite of a coal regulation that will result in ...... read more

For the 113th Congress, House Committee on Natural Resources was the most productive House committee with 38 bills and 1 resolution signed into law.Bills that have passed the 113th Congresswww.politico.comWhat, exactly, has the 113th Congress been up to for the past 22 months? While gridlock has held the headlines, the chambers did move 185 bills and resolutions to the president's desk. So, let's ...... read more

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Today, President Obama’s announced the creation of a National Monument that will unilaterally designate almost half of the Angeles National forest as the San Gabriel National Monument amid local opposition and without public input. To read Chairman Doc Hastings' statement: http://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397878 What do you think about the President's use of th...... read more