CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES see also Ecology and Environment; Natural Resources; Renewable Energy

Amendments

Fish and fishing: provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), H3599, H3603, H3604, H3606, H3607, H3608, H3612, H3613 [1JN]

International Year of Soils: designate (S. Con. Res. 10), S2895, S2896 [13MY]

Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), H2836, H2837, H2839 [12MY]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), consideration (H. Res. 231), H2683 [30AP]

Appointments

Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, S68 [7JA], H1511 [2MR]

Articles and editorials

Water Solution for California—‘Little Sip, Big Gulp’, E972 [24JN]

Bills and resolutions

African Elephant Conservation Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 335), H358 [13JA]

Agriculture, rural development, FDA, and related agencies programs: making appropriations (see S. 1800), S5170 [16JY] (see S. 2129), S7123 [5OC] (see H.R. 3049), H5171 [14JY]

Alaska: exempt national forest lands from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (see S. 631), S1246 [3MR]

——— prescribe an additional requirement for the designation of marine sanctuaries off the coast (see H.R. 332), H358 [13JA]

Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries: implement (see S. 1251), S2730 [7MY]

American Eagle Day: designate (see S. Res. 203), S4250 [17JN]

Animals: support conservation programs of nations within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in conservation of such populations (see H.R. 2697), H4001 [9JN]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness (see S. 2341), S8306 [2DE] (see H.R. 239), H187 [9JA]

Asian Elephant Conservation Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 335), H358 [13JA]

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument: designate (see S. 393), S833 [5FE] (see H.R. 761), H853 [5FE]

BLM: allow a land exchange in San Bernardino County, CA, with San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (see H.R. 4024), H8279 [17NO]

Bureau of Reclamation: participate in design, planning and construction of the South Sacramento County Agriculture and Habitat Lands Water Recycling Project (see H.R. 796), H855 [5FE]

Business and industry: impose penalties and provide for recovery of removal costs and damages for oil spills from offshore foreign units (see H.R. 1684), H2109 [26MR]

——— modify certain penalties to deter oil spills (see S. 1311), S2794 [12MY]

California: designate certain Federal lands as wilderness (see S. 1423), S3237 [21MY] (see H.R. 1865), H2306 [16AP]

——— designate certain off-highway vehicle recreation areas, wilderness, wild, scenic, and recreational rivers, and protect and manage additional Federal lands (see H.R. 3668), H6787 [1OC]

——— establish certain conservation and recreation areas (see H.R. 4060), H8359 [18NO]

California Coastal National Monument: include the Santa Cruz Redwoods Public Lands as part of the National Landscape Conservation System (see H.R. 908), H1032 [12FE]

California Desert Conservation Area: provide for conservation, enhanced recreation opportunities, and development of renewable energy (see S. 414), S858 [9FE]

Carson, Rachel: tribute (see S. Res. 142), S2301 [21AP]

Cherokee National Forest: designate as wilderness certain public lands (see S. 755), S1585 [17MR]

Civilian Conservation Corps: reestablish (see H.R. 1966), H2417 [22AP]

Climate: provide communities with tools to respond to extreme weather and implement a strategy to protect, restore, and conserve natural resources on which tourism and recreation jobs and local economies depend (see S. 1601), S4250 [17JN] (see H.R. 2804), H4490 [17JN]

Coastal zones: establish a fund to promote protection and conservation of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems (see S. 2025), S6605 [10SE]

——— improve ability of NOAA, Coast Guard, and coastal States to sustain healthy oceans and coastal ecosystems by maintaining capabilities relative to oil spill preparedness, prevention, and response (see S. 1430), S3237 [21MY]

Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean: implement (see S. 1335), S2850 [13MY] (see H.R. 3269), H5589 [28JY]

Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean: implement (see S. 1336), S2850 [13MY]

Corps of Engineers: provide loans to enable eligible entities to purchase credits from mitigation banks or in-lieu fee programs or acquire interests in certain mitigation project-related real property (see S. 1700), S4648 [25JN]

——— update and improve reservoir operations (see H.R. 813), H866 [9FE]

Crime: increase penalties for wildlife trafficking and allow civil penalties, fines, forfeitures, and restitution for such crimes to be transferred to wildlife conservation funds (see S. 27), S11 [6JA]

Dept. of Agriculture: authorize purchase of a small parcel of Natural Resources Conservation Service property in Riverside, CA, by the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District (see H.R. 3281), H5762 [29JY]

——— convey certain Bienville National Forest lands to the Pat Harrison Waterway District in Smith County, MS (see H.R. 3249), H5588 [28JY]

——— establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention (see H.R. 3120), H5329 [21JY]

Dept. of Education: promote environmental education (see S. 492), S982 [12FE] (see H.R. 882), H981 [11FE]

Dept. of Energy: make transparent direct and indirect costs incurred by power marketing administrations for compliance with environmental laws impacting fish and wildlife conservation (see H.R. 1869), H2306 [16AP]

——— prepare a report on the impact of thermal insulation on both energy and water use for potable hot water (see H.R. 568), H639 [27JA]

——— prohibit from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until an analysis has been completed (see S. 1029), S2300 [21AP]

——— provide for a smart water resource management pilot program (see H.R. 3143), H5330 [21JY]

Dept. of HUD: carry out a demonstration program to enter into budget-neutral, performance-based contracts for energy and water conservation improvements for multifamily residential units (see H.R. 2997), H5029 [9JY]

——— establish program enabling communities to address health, economic development, and conservation concerns through needed investments in parks, recreational areas, facilities, and programs (see H.R. 201), H103 [7JA]

——— modify premium charges and dollar amount limit on loans financing alterations, repairs, and improvements to, or conversion of, existing structures, including energy efficiency home improvements (see H.R. 2982), H4955 [8JY]

Dept. of the Interior: authorize a National Heritage Area Program (see H.R. 581), H660 [28JA]

——— authorize the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System and the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System (see S. 1552), S4103 [11JN] (see H.R. 3867), H7346 [29OC]

——— develop a cadastre of Federal real property to assist with land management, conservation, and development and identify land that no longer needs to be federally owned (see S. 1225), S2688 [6MY] (see H.R. 3121), H5329 [21JY]

——— establish a nonregulatory program to build on and help coordinate funding for restoration and protection efforts of the Delaware River Basin region (see S. 921), S2172 [14AP] (see H.R. 1772), H2209 [14AP]

——— provide authority to periodically increase prices for Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (duck stamps) to fund acquisition of land for conservation of migratory birds (see H.R. 3645), H6705 [29SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish a Veterans Conservation Corps (see H.R. 1978), H2417 [22AP]

Depts. of the Interior and Agriculture: allow removal of pinyon-juniper trees to conserve and restore the habitat of the greater sage grouse and mule deer (see S. 468), S926 [11FE] (see H.R. 1793), H2209 [14AP]

——— provide certain Western States assistance in the development of statewide conservation and management plans for the protection and recovery of sage grouse species (see S. 1036), S2351 [22AP] (see H.R. 1997), H2463 [23AP]

Douglas County, NV: promote conservation, improve public land, and provide for sensible development (see S. 472), S982 [12FE] (see H.R. 925), H1033 [12FE]

Drought: suspend provisions of the Endangered Species Act for water releases by Federal and State agencies in river basins that are affected by drought (see H.R. 1668), H2108 [26MR]

Earth Science Week: designate (see H. Res. 472), H6936 [8OC]

Ecology and environment: amend laws relative to sport fish restoration and recreational boating safety (see S. 834), S1708 [23MR] (see H.R. 3462), H5865 [9SE]

——— promote conservation for the purpose of enhancing hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities (see H.R. 3173), H5465 [23JY]

Endangered species: protect and conserve elephants and regulate ivory in the U.S. (see S. 1769), S5129 [15JY] (see H.R. 697), H756 [3FE]

——— provide for trade sanctions against countries involved in illegal trade of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn (see H.R. 1945), H2416 [22AP]

Endangered Species Act: establish objective numerical recovery goals for removal of species from lists of endangered and threatened species (see H.R. 2735), H4241 [11JN]

——— extend import- and export-related provision to species proposed for listing as threatened or endangered in order to ban bringing trophy animals killed abroad back to the U.S. (see S. 1918), S6239 [3AU] (see H.R. 3526), H6074 [16SE]

——— prohibit the taking of any endangered or threatened species in the U.S. as a trophy and the importation of any such trophy into the U.S. (see H.R. 3448), H5847 [8SE]

EPA: assess and manage risks of drought to drinking water (see H.R. 1709), H2110 [26MR]

——— establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure (see S. 896), S2110 [13AP] (see H.R. 1775), H2209 [14AP]

——— establish programs to encourage water efficiency (see H.R. 3720), H6935 [8OC]

——— provide assistance to protect water quality of Puget Sound (see H.R. 3630), H6306 [28SE]

——— provide for a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program (see S. 886), S2041 [26MR]

——— provide for assessment and management of risk of algal toxins in drinking water (see S. 460), S926 [11FE]

——— provide for assessment and management of risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water (see H.R. 212), H154 [8JA]

Federal agencies and departments: improve energy efficiency in Federal facilities by encouraging entrance into energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts (see S. 858), S1891 [25MR] (see H.R. 1629), H2033 [25MR]

Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act: reauthorize (see S. 2189), S7413 [21OC] (see H.R. 1651), H2107 [26MR]

Fish and fishing: prohibit foreign assistance to countries that do not prohibit shark finning in their territorial waters or importation, sale, possession, or consumption of shark fins obtained through finning (see H.R. 2951), H4861 [7JY]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (see H.R. 1335), H1613 [4MR]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), consideration (see H. Res. 274), H3386 [19MY]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 1826), H2269 [15AP]

Florida: correct boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit P16 (see H.R. 890), H981 [11FE]

Forest Service: amend the Forest Legacy Program to authorize States to allow certain entities to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the program (see H.R. 1582), H1899 [24MR]

——— designate the Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary (see S. 1448), S3238 [21MY]

——— provide for management of certain inventoried roadless areas (see S. 193), S283 [20JA]

Forests: address bark beetle epidemic, drought, deteriorating forest health, and wildfire risk on Federal lands and increase State control of forest management in high-risk areas (see H.R. 695), H755 [3FE]

——— expedite and prioritize forest management activities to achieve ecosystem restoration objectives (see S. 1691), S4648 [25JN]

——— improve timber management on Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands by emphasizing both forestry and conservation (see S. 132), S100 [8JA]

——— provide cancellation ceilings for stewardship end result contracting projects (see S. 326), S673 [30JA]

Gold Butte National Conservation Area: establish and designate certain wilderness areas (see S. 199), S283 [20JA] (see H.R. 856), H917 [10FE]

Great Ape Conservation Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 335), H358 [13JA]

Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument: designate (see H.R. 3882), H7623 [3NO]

GSA: repeal requirement to sell Plum Island, NY, and allow for the transfer to another Federal agency or entity to protect environmental and recreational benefits (see S. 1675), S4602 [24JN] (see H.R. 1887), H2307 [16AP]

Helium: promote a greater domestic supply, establish a Federal leasing program for public land, and secure a supply for national defense and Federal researchers (see S. 1226), S2688 [6MY]

Highlands Conservation Act: extend authorization (see H.R. 894), H981 [11FE]

House of Representatives: express commitment to conservative environmental stewardship (see H. Res. 424), H6137 [17SE]

International Year of Soils: designate (see S. Con. Res. 10), S1585 [17MR] (see H. Con. Res. 30), H2111 [26MR]

Klamath Basin: approve and implement the Klamath Basin agreements, improve natural resource management, support economic development, and sustain agricultural production (see S. 133), S100 [8JA]

Lake Tahoe: provide for environmental restoration and forest management activities in surrounding basin (see S. 1724), S4952 [9JY] (see H.R. 3382), H5767 [29JY] (see H.R. 3692), H6835 [6OC]

Land and Water Conservation Fund: ensure amounts are made available for projects to provide recreational public access to public lands (see S. 390), S832 [5FE]

——— provide consistent and reliable authority and funding to maximize effectiveness for future generations (see S. 890), S2041 [26MR]

——— reauthorize (see S. 338), S697 [2FE] (see S. 1925), S6296 [4AU] (see S. 2101), S7005 [29SE] (see S. 2164), S7219 [7OC] (see S. 2165, 2169), S7272 [8OC] (see S. 2318), S8160 [19NO] (see H.R. 1814), H2268 [15AP] (see H.R. 4151), H8859 [1DE]

Marine Turtle Conservation Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 335), H358 [13JA]

Minnesota: withdraw Federal land located within the Rainy River Drainage Basin from location, entry, and patent under mining laws (see H.R. 2072), H2497 [28AP]

National Estuaries Week: designate (see S. Res. 269), S6938 [24SE]

National Science and Technology Council: establish an interagency coordination committee or subcommittee focused on the nexus between energy and water production, use, and efficiency (see S. 1218), S2688 [6MY]

National Wildlife Refuge Week: designate (see S. Res. 286), S7272 [8OC]

——— observance (see H. Res. 479), H6974 [9OC]

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act: reauthorize (see S. 520), S983 [12FE] (see H.R. 2957), H4861 [7JY]

Nevada: facilitate pinyon-juniper related projects in Lincoln County, modify boundaries of certain wilderness areas, and implement conservation plan for the Virgin River (see S. 953), S2220 [15AP] (see H.R. 1815), H2268 [15AP]

——— provide for withdrawal of certain Federal land in Garden Valley (see S. 196), S283 [20JA] (see H.R. 857), H917 [10FE]

New Mexico: protect, restore, and improve health of watersheds on national forest lands (see S. 1780), S5129 [15JY]

NOAA: conduct assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters of the Great Lakes (see S. 1956), S6380 [5AU]

——— develop a plan to conduct stock assessments for all stocks of fish for which a fishery management plan is in effect (see H.R. 1207), H1525 [2MR]

——— promote sustainable conservation and management for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic fisheries and the communities that rely on them (see S. 1403), S3183 [20MY]

Orange County, CA: eliminate an unused lighthouse reservation, preserve rocks and small islands along the coast, and incorporate them into the California Coastal National Monument (see H.R. 4233), H9270 [10DE]

Parks and recreation areas: provide grants to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes and develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities (see S. 1995), S6381 [5AU]

Power resources: modernize U.S. energy policy (see S. 2012), S6532 [9SE]

——— promote domestic development and deployment of clean energy technologies (see H.R. 4162), H8970 [2DE]

——— update avian protection laws in order to support an all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy (see H.R. 493), H531 [22JA]

Printing: restrict printing and distribution of paper copies of congressional documents (see H.R. 3577), H6178 [18SE]

Public lands: provide service-learning opportunities on public lands, restore natural, cultural, historic, archeological, recreational, and scenic resources, and train new land managers (see S. 1160), S2568 [30AP] (see H.R. 2167), H2768 [30AP]

Research: provide for advancement of energy-water efficiency research, development, and deployment activities (see S. 1485), S3456 [2JN]

Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 335), H358 [13JA]

Rio Grand del Norte National Monument: designate Cerro del Yuta and Rio San Antonio Wilderness Areas (see S. 1240), S2730 [7MY]

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area: establish (see S. 630), S1246 [3MR] (see H.R. 1208), H1565 [3MR]

Sonoran Desert: designate certain public lands as national conservation areas and wilderness areas (see H.R. 2926), H4770 [25JN]

Sports: protect and enhance opportunities for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting (see S. 405), S833 [5FE] (see S. 556), S1117 [25FE] (see S. 659), S1303 [4MR] (see H.R. 2406), H3386 [19MY]

Taxation: allow a credit for qualified conservation contributions which include national scenic trails (see S. 1069), S2400 [23AP] (see H.R. 781), H854 [5FE]

——— allow a deduction for conservation expenditures to reduce groundwater consumption (see H.R. 4175), H9011 [3DE]

——— encourage charitable contributions of real property for conservation purposes by Native corporations (see H.R. 338), H358 [13JA]

——— facilitate water leasing and water transfers to promote conservation and efficiency (see S. 384), S832 [5FE] (see H.R. 4220), H9269 [10DE]

——— make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions (see S. 330), S697 [2FE] (see H.R. 641), H702 [2FE]

——— modify incentives for production of biodiesel (see H.R. 4181), H9011 [3DE]

——— provide an investment tax credit for waste heat to power technology (see S. 913), S2172 [14AP]

Topsail, NC: revise boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit L06 (see H.R. 151), H41 [6JA]

Trails: clarify status of North Country, Ice Age, and New England National Scenic Trails as units of the National Park Service (see S. 1074), S2400 [23AP] (see H.R. 3511), H6074 [16SE]

Tropical Forest Conservation Act: reauthorize (see S. 566), S1118 [25FE]

21st Century Conservation Service Corps: establish (see S. 1993), S6381 [5AU]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: ensure continuation of successful fisheries mitigation programs (see H.R. 2235), H2798 [5MY]

——— exempt certain Alaskan Native articles from prohibitions against sale of items containing nonedible migratory bird parts (see H.R. 1729), H2111 [26MR]

——— extend authorization of appropriations for allocation to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects (see H.R. 2346), H3212 [14MY]

——— extend date after which interest earned on obligations held in the wildlife restoration fund may be available for apportionment (see S. 722), S1439 [11MR] (see H.R. 2345), H3212 [14MY]

——— prohibit listing northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act (see S. 655), S1302 [4MR] (see H.R. 1589), H1899 [24MR]

——— prohibit treatment of gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan under the Endangered Species Act (see H.R. 843), H916 [10FE]

——— prohibit treatment of gray wolves in Washington, Oregon, and Utah under the Endangered Species Act (see H.R. 1985), H2463 [23AP]

——— reissue final rules relative to listing of gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes and Wyoming under the Endangered Species Act (see S. 2281), S7913 [10NO] (see H.R. 884), H981 [11FE]

——— reverse listing of lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species and prevent further consideration of such listing pending implementation of conservation plans and measures (see H.R. 659), H703 [2FE]

Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (see H.R. 594), H660 [28JA] (see H.R. 1732), H2151 [13AP]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), consideration (see H. Res. 231), H2652 [29AP]

——— provide additional financing options for infrastructure projects in States in which a state of drought emergency has been issued (see H.R. 1710), H2110 [26MR]

——— reauthorize EPA WaterSense program, create State and local conservation and efficiency programs, support recycling, storage, and management projects, improve water data, and provide for drought preparedness (see S. 176), S201 [13JA] (see H.R. 291), H356 [13JA]

World Wildlife Day: designate (see S. Res. 95), S1247 [3MR]

Cost Estimates

Energy Policy Modernization Act (S. 2012): CBO, S8236 [1DE]

Letters

Consensus scientific view relative to global climate change: several scientific organizations (2009), S182 [13JA], S319 [21JA]

Native American Energy Act: several environmental and conservation groups, H6912 [8OC]

Regulatory Integrity Protection Act: Delegate Norton, H2835 [12MY]

——— Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, H2834 [12MY]

——— Representative Edwards, H2834 [12MY]

——— Representatives Napolitano and DeFazio, H2834 [12MY]

Lists

Organizations opposing H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, H2833 [12MY]

Organizations supporting H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, H2827 [12MY]

Organizations that agree with majority of worldwide scientific community that global climate change is real and caused by human activities, S181 [13JA], S318 [21JA]

Motions

Fish and fishing: provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), H3621 [1JN]

Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), H2852 [12MY]

Remarks in House

Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs, H4547 [23JN]

American Eagle Day: observance, H4497 [18JN]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness, H555 [26JA]

——— prohibit funding for revised comprehensive conservation plan, H4803, H4804 [7JY]

BLM: prohibit funding to implement revision of resource management plan for forests in western Oregon, H4820 [7JY]

Brownlee family: Iowa Farm Environmental Leaders Award recipient, E1467 [9OC]

Bureau of Reclamation: prohibit funding to suspend provisions of the Endangered Species Act for water releases by Federal and State agencies in river basins that are affected by drought, H2762 [30AP]

——— water conservancy and delivery funding, H2643, H2644 [29AP]

——— water reclamation programs and water reuse projects for Western States and Hawaii funding, H5278, H5279 [16JY]

California: develop comprehensive water plan to include conservation, recycling, creation of new storage systems, fixing Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a science driven process, and protecting existing water rights, H4584–H4588 [23JN], H5580–H5583 [28JY], E970–E973 [24JN]

Central Valley Project Restoration Fund: add conservation seat to oversight board for a member focusing on waterfowl, H5275 [16JY]

Climate: express that climate change is real and U.S. energy policy should remove market barriers that inhibit development of renewable energy infrastructure, H8986 [3DE]

Coastal zones: use of offshore oil and gas revenues to fund State and local conservation programs of coastal States, H3302 [18MY]

Congressional Land Conservation Caucus: support goals and ideals, H5791 [8SE]

Coon Rapids, IA: tribute to Whiterock Conservancy, E1094 [21JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: assessment of Regional Conservation Partnership Program projects, H586 [27JA]

Dept. of Energy: strengthen energy infrastructure resiliency and improve energy efficiency by incentivizing local renewable thermal energy and waste heat and providing assistance to establish distributed energy systems, H8941, H8942 [2DE]

Dept. of HUD: carry out a demonstration program to enter into budget-neutral, performance-based contracts for energy and water conservation improvements for multifamily residential units (H.R. 2997), H5135–H5137 [14JY]

Dept. of Justice: prohibit funding to prosecute or hold liable any person or corporation for accidental killing of certain protected birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, H3797, H3798 [3JN]

Dept. of the Interior: establish a nonregulatory program to build on and help coordinate funding for restoration and protection efforts of the Delaware River Basin region (H.R. 1772), H2886 [13MY]

Dept. of the Interior, environment, and related agencies: prohibit California drought response or relief funding from being used in contravention of implementation of the California Water Code, H4833 [7JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish a Veterans Conservation Corps (H.R. 1978), H2954, H2955 [13MY]

Drought: suspend provisions of the Endangered Species Act for water releases by Federal and State agencies in river basins that are affected by drought (H.R. 1668), H2130 [13AP], H2362 [22AP]

Earth Science Week: designate (H. Res. 472), H6921 [8OC]

Eckert, Nathan: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rachel Carson Individual Award recipient, E366 [19MR]

Endangered species: provide for trade sanctions against countries involved in illegal trade of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn, E511 [16AP]

Endangered Species Act: impact on rural economy, H148 [8JA]

EPA: determine if State permit program are compliant with new water rules, notify States in writing of compliancy, and allow States not in compliance two years to become compliant, H2839 [12MY]

——— establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure (H.R. 1775), E486 [14AP]

——— provide assistance to protect water quality of Puget Sound (H.R. 3630), H6293 [28SE], E1384, E1386 [29SE]

——— provide for assessment and management of risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water (H.R. 212), H1094, H1095 [24FE], E258 [26FE]

——— release of regulations on hydraulic fracturing, H1811 [23MR]

——— report on impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water, H4386 [16JN]

Fairfax County, VA: tribute to Fairfax County Land Conservation and Tree Planting and Preservation Awards recipients, E758 [20MY]

Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act: reauthorize (H.R. 1651), E437 [26MR]

Fish and fishing: prohibit fast-track analyses of environmental concerns required under the National Environmental Policy Act, H3603, H3604 [1JN]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, H1856 [24MR]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), H3591–H3617, H3619–H3624 [1JN], E306 [4MR], E813 [2JN]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), consideration (H. Res. 274), H3491–H3496 [20MY]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), corrections in engrossment, H3624 [1JN]

——— provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen (H.R. 1335), motion to recommit, H3622 [1JN]

——— provide for additional information for stock assessments, use of students to collect marine recreational fishing data, and clarification of information for fishery management council reviews, H3608 [1JN]

——— provide for innovative data collection initiative to improve fish stock assessments and research of Gulf of Mexico fisheries, E839 [4JN]

——— provide for more input from communities and regional experts at fishery management councils and increase ability of local agencies to hold polluters more accountable, H3622 [1JN]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act: reauthorize, H3615–H3617 [1JN]

——— reauthorize (H.R. 1826), E496 [15AP]

Forest Service: Forest Legacy Program funding through reductions in BLM funding, H4845 [7JY]

Forests: improve timber management, H7746 [5NO]

Hunt, Nick and Sue: Iowa Conservationist of the Year Award recipients, E1430 [6OC]

Illinois: designation of Chiwaukee Prairie as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, H6089 [17SE]

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: anniversary, E1599 [5NO]

Kings Canyon National Park: anniversary, E1287 [16SE]

Land and Water Conservation Fund: funding, H4588 [23JN], H4734 [25JN]

——— reauthorize, H4655 [25JN], H6939 [9OC], H8366, H8403 [19NO], E1298 [16SE], E1405 [1OC]

——— reauthorize (H.R. 1814), H4606 [24JN], H4871 [8JY], H4970 [9JY], H6007–H6010 [16SE], H6798 [6OC], H7049 [21OC], H7260 [28OC], E986 [25JN]

Lexmark International, Inc.: tribute to environmental practices, E549 [22AP]

Lumber industry: promote growth by ensuring efforts to balance conservation with job creation, H7167 [23OC]

National Ocean Council: develop a process for decommissioning oil and gas rigs that eliminates harm to the red snapper stock and improve habitat, H3606 [1JN]

National parks and recreation areas: limit acquisition of federally protected lands as national parks, H4876 [8JY]

NOAA: authorize use of alternative fishery management measures in a recreational fishery, H3612, H3613 [1JN]

——— authorize use of Asset Forfeiture Fund for enhanced fishery research, at-sea and shoreside monitoring, conservation gear engineering, development of fishery impact statements, and regional fishery management councils priorities, H3605 [1JN]

——— fishery observer program funding, H3688, H3689 [2JN]

——— National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat Conservation and Restoration initiative funding through reductions in Dept. of Justice legal activities funding, H3689 [2JN]

Obama, President: issuance of ‘‘Mitigating Impacts on Natural Resources from Development and Encouraging Related Private Investment’’ memorandum, H7639 [4NO]

Palm Beach County, FL: opening of Palm Beach Renewable Energy Facility 2, E962 [24JN]

Paso Pacífico (organization): anniversary, E1483 [20OC]

Pollack, Lana and Henry: Michigan League of Conservation Voters Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, E1465 [9OC]

Power resources: promote clean energy sources in order to combat effects of climate change, H9361–H9364 [16DE]

——— promote domestic development and deployment of clean energy technologies, H646 [28JA], H2038 [26MR]

——— update avian protection laws in order to support an all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy (H.R. 493), H3797 [3JN]

Puget Sound Partnership: tribute, E1386 [29SE]

San Diego, CA: San Diego Climate Collaborative recipient of EPA Climate Leadership Award for Innovative Partnerships, H1792 [19MR]

Santee, CA: opening of Padre Dam Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Pilot Plant, E508 [15AP]

Sequoia National Park: anniversary, E1287 [16SE]

Smithsonian Institution: anniversary of Environmental Research Center, E1270 [11SE]

St. Simons Land Trust (organization): National Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation recipient, E382 [23MR]

Taxation: make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions, H1003, H1004, H1006, H1008, H1013 [12FE]

——— make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions (H.R. 641), H872 [10FE]

Texas: adoption of resolution to protect coastal borders and end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in sovereign waters, E1271 [11SE]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: aquatic invasive species eradication funding through reductions in BLM oil and gas permitting activities funding, H4733 [25JN]

——— prohibit funding to implement or enforce listing of lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species, H4835, H4836 [7JY]

——— prohibit listing northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act, H1668 [17MR]

——— prohibit treatment of gray wolves in Washington, Oregon, and Utah under the Endangered Species Act (H.R. 1985), E581 [23AP]

——— reverse listing of lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species and prevent further consideration of such listing pending implementation of conservation plans and measures, H3191, H3192 [14MY]

Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, H819 [5FE], H1749 [18MR], H2632 [29AP], H3770 [3JN], H9378 [17DE]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), H2775 [1MY], H2827–H2840, H2851–H2854 [12MY], H3257, H3258 [18MY], E688 [13MY], E706 [14MY], E718 [15MY]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), consideration (H. Res. 231), H2671–H2684 [30AP]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 1732), motion to recommit, H2852 [12MY]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (H.R. 594), H711 [3FE]

——— reauthorize EPA WaterSense program, create State and local conservation and efficiency programs, support recycling, storage, and management projects, improve water data, and provide for drought preparedness (H.R. 291), H5246 [16JY], H5580 [28JY]

——— require EPA and Corps of Engineers to protect quality and integrity of public water supplies, mitigate against western drought, and safeguard water usage for agriculture irrigation, H2852 [12MY]

Remarks in Senate

Agriculture, rural development, FDA, and related agencies programs: making appropriations (S. 2129), S7127 [5OC], S7130 [6OC]

Air pollution: create a point of order against any legislation that would create a tax or fee on carbon emissions, S1846, S1868, S1870 [25MR]

——— establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to protect against any legislation that would create a tax or fee on carbon emissions, S1989, S1990 [26MR]

Alaska: exempt national forest lands from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (S. 631), S1252 [3MR]

American Eagle Day: designate (S. Res. 203), S4254 [17JN]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: proposal to preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness, S456–S460 [26JA], S558–S560 [28JA]

Budget: allocation of funds, S7738 [4NO]

California Desert Conservation Area: provide for conservation, enhanced recreation opportunities, and development of renewable energy (S. 414), S860 [9FE]

Climate: express agreement with majority of worldwide scientific community that climate change is real and caused by human activities, and encourage research and development in clean fossil fuel technology, S392, S393 [22JA]

——— express agreement with majority of worldwide scientific community that climate change is real and caused by human activities, and encourage shift away from fossil fuels to energy efficiency and sustainable energy, S181–S183 [13JA], S318–S320, S331 [21JA], S375, S393 [22JA]

——— express that the U.S. should prioritize and fund climate change adaptation projects in local communities and help fund adaptation projects in developing countries, S520 [27JA]

——— impact of carbon emissions from oil sands on climate change, S312 [21JA]

——— impact of global warming on wildlife and natural resources, S4835 [8JY], S6829 [21SE]

Coastal zones: establish a fund to promote protection and conservation of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems, S8857 [18DE]

——— improve ability of NOAA, Coast Guard, and coastal States to sustain healthy oceans and coastal ecosystems by maintaining capabilities relative to oil spill preparedness, prevention, and response (S. 1430), S3241 [21MY]

Crime: increase penalties for wildlife trafficking and allow civil penalties, fines, forfeitures, and restitution for such crimes to be transferred to wildlife conservation funds (S. 27), S14 [6JA]

Dayton, OH: anniversary of Miami Conservancy District, S3855 [8JN]

Dept. of Agriculture: establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to preserve mandatory appropriations for agricultural conservation programs, S1882 [25MR]

Dept. of Education: promote environmental education (S. 492), S987 [12FE]

Dept. of Energy: discourage export of crude oil if exports increase U.S. energy prices or reliance on imported oil, S3740 [4JN]

——— establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to invest in clean energy and preserve the environment, S1971 [26MR]

Dept. of the Interior: limit designation of new federally protected land, S267, S270 [20JA], S323 [21JA], S392 [22JA]

EPA: impose carbon pollution fee and use proceeds to provide rebate to consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and regulate hydraulic fracturing, S4237 [17JN]

——— provide for assessment and management of risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water (H.R. 212), S6175 [30JY], S6228–S6231 [3AU], S6348–S6350 [5AU]

——— provide for assessment and management of risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water (H.R. 212), unanimous-consent request, S6176, S6177 [30JY], S6229, S6230 [3AU]

Federal Water Pollution Control Act: anniversary, S7380 [21OC]

Forest Service: designate the Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary (S. 1448), S3243 [21MY]

Forests: improve timber management on Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands by emphasizing both forestry and conservation (S. 132), S101 [8JA]

Hawaii: tribute to efforts to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy technologies, S7203 [7OC]

House of Representatives: express commitment to conservative environmental stewardship (H. Res. 424), S7151 [6OC]

International Migratory Bird Day: observance, S2756 [11MY]

International Year of Soils: designate (S. Con. Res. 10), S2896 [13MY]

Klamath Basin: approve and implement the Klamath Basin agreements, improve natural resource management, support economic development, and sustain agricultural production (S. 133), S102 [8JA]

Land and Water Conservation Fund: ensure amounts are made available for projects to provide recreational public access to public lands, S1484 [12MR]

——— provide consistent and reliable authority and funding to maximize effectiveness for future generations (S. 890), S7149 [6OC], S7210–S7212 [7OC]

——— reauthorize, S526, S536 [27JA], S566 [28JA], S622, S623 [29JA], S691 [2FE], S7405, S7406, S7407 [21OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 338), S702 [2FE], S707 [3FE], S817 [5FE], S7242 [8OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 338), unanimous-consent request, S816, S817 [5FE], S7241 [8OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 2101), S7022–S7027 [30SE], S7071–S7073 [1OC], S7156 [6OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 2101), unanimous-consent request, S7042, S7043 [30SE], S7067, S7070 [1OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 2165), S7281 [8OC], S7306 [19OC], S7561–S7566 [28OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 2165), unanimous-consent request, S7245 [8OC], S7561 [28OC]

——— reauthorize (S. 2169), S7281 [8OC], S7306 [19OC]

——— reform, S8526 [9DE]

Maine: anniversary of Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission, S3857 [8JN]

Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation: anniversary, S6128 [29JY]

National Estuaries Week: designate (S. Res. 269), S6949 [24SE]

National Wildlife Refuge Week: designate (S. Res. 286), S7281 [8OC]

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act: reauthorize, S2756 [11MY]

——— reauthorize (S. 520), S995 [12FE]

NOAA: conduct assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters of the Great Lakes (S. 1956), S7206 [7OC]

North American Wetlands Conservation Act: reauthorize, S8526 [9DE]

Oil Pollution Act: require responsible parties to pay full cost of oil spills, S323 [21JA]

Ora Estuaries (company): tribute, S2242 [16AP]

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration: ensure adequate inspection and availability of resources to maintain safety of pipelines in the Great Lakes, S452 [26JA], S513 [27JA], S567 [28JA]

Power resources: modernize U.S. energy policy (S. 2012), S6884 [22SE], S7024 [30SE], S8139 [19NO], S8236 [1DE]

——— promote clean energy sources in order to combat effects of climate change, S7202, S7203 [7OC]

——— promote renewable energy technologies, S6283 [4AU], S8000 [17NO]

Rio Grand del Norte National Monument: designate Cerro del Yuta and Rio San Antonio Wilderness Areas (S. 1240), unanimous-consent request, S8843 [18DE]

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area: establish (S. 630), S1250 [3MR]

Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses: release of joint report on impact of Government regulations on State environmental stewardship, S1087 [25FE]

Sierra Club: anniversary of Southern Nevada Group, S6973 [28SE]

Sports: protect and enhance opportunities for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting (S. 405), S837–S839, S842 [5FE], S843 [9FE], S1483 [12MR]

——— protect and enhance opportunities for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting (S. 556), S8525 [9DE]

——— protect and enhance opportunities for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting (S. 659), S2756 [11MY]

St. Petersburg, FL: tribute to Tampa Bay Estuary Program, S7265 [8OC]

Sun River Watershed Group (organization): International RiverFoundation North American Riverprize finalist, S2931 [14MY]

U.N.: adoption of Agenda for Sustainable Development, S7093 [1OC]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: establish a spending-neutral reserve fund to require examination of economic impact of critical habitat designations, S2009, S2010 [26MR]

——— impact of listing northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act, S2961 [18MY]

——— impact of listing of lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species, S2961 [18MY], S8226 [1DE]

——— reverse listing of lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species, S402, S403 [22JA], S569 [28JA]

Water: establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to protect privately held water rights and permits, S1862 [25MR], S2002 [26MR]

——— establish a spending-neutral reserve fund to prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, S1836, S1869 [25MR]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, S197 [13JA], S2961 [18MY], S3759 [4JN], S7380 [21OC]

Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary: establish, S7206 [7OC]

World Wildlife Day: designate (S. Res. 95), S1260 [3MR]

Reports filed

Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Programs Appropriations: Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 3049) (H. Rept. 114–205), H5171 [14JY]

——— Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 1800) (S. Rept. 114–82), S5169 [16JY]

Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1251) (S. Rept. 114–120), S6466 [8SE]

Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 556) (S. Rept. 114–183), S8724 [16DE]

Cerros del Norte Conservation Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 1240) (S. Rept. 114–134), S6532 [9SE]

Conservation Easement Incentive Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 641) (H. Rept. 114–17), H865 [9FE]

Consideration of H.R. 1335, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 274) (H. Rept. 114–128), H3386 [19MY]

Consideration of H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity Protection Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 231) (H. Rept. 114–98), H2652 [29AP]

Drinking Water Protection Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 212) (H. Rept. 114–26), H1112 [24FE]

Energy Policy Modernization Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 2012) (S. Rept. 114–138), S6532 [9SE]

Investment Tax Credit for Waste Heat to Power Technology: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 913) (S. Rept. 114–23), S2171 [14AP]

Regulatory Integrity Protection Act: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H.R. 1732) (H. Rept. 114–93), H2474 [27AP]

Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 834) (S. Rept. 114–91), S5525 [23JY]

Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 2406) (H. Rept. 114–377), H9269 [10DE]

Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 1335) (H. Rept. 114–116), H3250 [15MY]

Statements

Regulatory Integrity Protection Act: Executive Office of the President, H2835 [12MY]

Texts of

H. Res. 231, consideration of H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, conference report on S. Con. Res. 11, Federal budget for 2016-2025, and H.J. Res. 43, DC law on reproductive health non-discrimination disapproval, H2671 [30AP]

H. Res. 274, consideration of H.R. 1335, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, H3491 [20MY]

H.R. 212, Drinking Water Protection Act, H1094 [24FE]

H.R. 2997, Private Investment in Housing Act, H5135 [14JY]

S. 196, Garden Valley Withdrawal Act, S285 [20JA]

S. 199, Gold Butte National Conservation Area Act, S286–S290 [20JA]

S. 520, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act reauthorization, S995 [12FE]

S. 630, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act, S1251 [3MR]

S. 1448, Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary Designation Act, S3244 [21MY]

S. 1552, Clean Water for Rural Communities Act, S4105 [11JN]

S. Con. Res. 10, International Year of Soils, S1588 [17MR], S2896 [13MY]

S. Res. 95, World Wildlife Day, S1254 [3MR]

S. Res. 142, tribute to Rachel Carson, S2305 [21AP]

S. Res. 203, American Eagle Day, S4252 [17JN]

S. Res. 269, National Estuaries Week, S6941 [24SE]

S. Res. 286, National Wildlife Refuge Week, S7278 [8OC]