[House Report 112-132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


112th Congress 
 1st Session            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                 Report
                                                                112-132
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                                  Union Calendar No. 82

                       REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE AND

                          OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES

                                 of the

                     COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

                      ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS

                             together with

                    ADDITIONAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS


                                     


                                     


  July 2, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed
                     COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

                   DOC HASTINGS, Washington, Chairman
       EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts, Ranking Democratic Member
DON YOUNG, Alaska                    DALE E. KILDEE, Michigan
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee       PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas                 ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 
ROB BISHOP, Utah                         Samoa
DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado               FRANK PALLONE, Jr., New Jersey
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia          GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
PAUL C. BROUN, Georgia               RUSH D. HOLT, New Jersey
JOHN FLEMING, Louisiana              RAUL M. GRIJALVA, Arizona
MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado               MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam
TOM McCLINTOCK, California           JIM COSTA, California
GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania         DAN BOREN, Oklahoma
JEFF DENHAM, California              GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, 
DAN BENISHEK, Michigan                   CNMI
DAVID RIVERA, Florida                MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico
JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina          BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
SCOTT R. TIPTON, Colorado            JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland
PAUL A. GOSAR, Arizona               BETTY SUTTON, Ohio
RAUL R. LABRADOR, Idaho              NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts
KRISTI L. NOEM, South Dakota         PEDRO R. PIERLUISI, Puerto Rico
STEVE SOUTHERLAND, II, Florida       JOHN GARAMENDI, California
BILL FLORES, Texas                   COLLEEN W. HANABUSA, Hawaii
ANDY HARRIS, Maryland                Vacancy
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, Louisiana
CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN, 
    Tennessee
JON RUNYAN, New Jersey
BILL JOHNSON, Ohio

----------
On January 5, 2011, pursuant to H. Res. 6, Chairman Doc Hastings, of 
Washington, was elected to the Committee.
On January 5, 2011, pursuant to H. Res. 7, Ranking Member Edward J. 
Markey, of Massachusetts, was elected to the Committee.
On January 18, 2011, pursuant to H. Res. 37, the Majority (Republican) 
Members were elected to the Committee.
On January 19, 2011, pursuant to H. Res. 39, the Minority (Democrat) 
Members were elected to the Committee.
On March 2, 2011, Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen resigned from the 
Committee.
      STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
              Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

                       DOUG LAMBORN, CO, Chairman
              RUSH D. HOLT, NJ, Ranking Democratic Member
LOUIE GOHMERT, TX                    PETER A. DeFAZIO, OR
PAUL C. BROUN, GA                    MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, GU
JOHN FLEMING, LA                     JIM COSTA, CA
MIKE COFFMAN, CO                     DAN BOREN, OK
GLENN THOMPSON, PA                   GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, 
DAN BENISHEK, MI                         CNMI
DAVID RIVERA, FL                     MARTIN HEINRICH, NM
JEFF DUNCAN, SC                      JOHN P. SARBANES, MD
PAUL A. GOSAR, AZ                    BETTY SUTTON, OH
BILL FLORES, TX                      NIKI TSONGAS, MA
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, LA                Vacancy
CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN,    EDWARD J. MARKEY, MA, ex officio
    TN
BILL JOHNSON, OH
DOC HASTINGS, WA, ex officio

    Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

                       JOHN FLEMING, LA, Chairman
    GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, CNMI, Ranking Democratic Member
DON YOUNG, AK                        ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA, AS
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, VA                FRANK PALLONE, Jr., NJ
JEFF DUNCAN, SC                      MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, GU
STEVE SOUTHERLAND, II, FL            PEDRO R. PIERLUISI, PR
BILL FLORES, TX                      COLLEEN W. HANABUSA, HI
ANDY HARRIS, MD                      Vacancy
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, LA                EDWARD J. MARKEY, MA, ex officio
JON RUNYAN, NJ
DOC HASTINGS, WA, ex officio
            Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs

                        DON YOUNG, AK, Chairman
                DAN BOREN, OK, Ranking Democratic Member
TOM McCLINTOCK, CA                   DALE E. KILDEE, MI
JEFF DENHAM, CA                      ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA, AS
DAN BENISHEK, MI                     BEN RAY LUJAN, NM
PAUL A. GOSAR, AZ                    COLLEEN W. HANABUSA, HI
RAUL R. LABRADOR, ID                 EDWARD J. MARKEY, MA, ex officio
KRISTI L. NOEM, SD
DOC HASTINGS, WA, ex officio

        Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

                        ROB BISHOP, UT, Chairman
            RAUL M. GRIJALVA, AZ, Ranking Democratic Member
DON YOUNG, AK                        DALE E. KILDEE, MI
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., TN              PETER A. DeFAZIO, OR
DOUG LAMBORN, CO                     RUSH D. HOLT, NJ
PAUL C. BROUN, GA                    MARTIN HEINRICH, NM
MIKE COFFMAN, CO                     JOHN P. SARBANES, MD
TOM McCLINTOCK, CA                   BETTY SUTTON, OH
DAVID RIVERA, FL                     NIKI TSONGAS, MA
SCOTT R. TIPTON, CO                  JOHN GARAMENDI, CA
RAUL R. LABRADOR, ID                 EDWARD J. MARKEY, MA, ex officio
KRISTI L. NOEM, SD
BILL JOHNSON, OH
DOC HASTINGS, WA, ex officio

                    Subcommittee on Water and Power

                      TOM McCLINTOCK, CA, Chairman
           GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, CA, Ranking Democratic Member
LOUIE GOHMERT, TX                    RAUL M. GRIJALVA, AZ
JEFF DENHAM, CA                      JIM COSTA, CA
SCOTT R. TIPTON, CO                  BEN RAY LUJAN, NM
PAUL A. GOSAR, AZ                    JOHN GARAMENDI, CA
RAUL R. LABRADOR, ID                 EDWARD J. MARKEY, MA, ex officio
KRISTI L. NOEM, SD
DOC HASTINGS, WA, ex officio
                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                          House of Representatives,
                            Committee on Natural Resources,
                                                      July 1, 2011.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Ms. Haas: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of Rule XI and Rule 
X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, here is a semi-
annual report, encompassing the period of January 3, 2011 
through May 31, 2011, of legislative and oversight activities 
of the Committee on Natural Resources during the 112th 
Congress.
    The Members of the Committee approved this report during a 
Full Committee business meeting, by a vote of 18-to-11.
            Sincerely,
                                            Doc Hastings, Chairman.
                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Letter of Transmittal............................................     v
Overview.........................................................     1
    Full Committee...............................................     3
        Legislative Activities...................................     3
        Oversight Activities.....................................     3
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.................     4
        Legislative Activities...................................     4
        Oversight Activities.....................................     4
    Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular 
      Affairs....................................................     5
        Legislative Activities...................................     5
        Oversight Activities.....................................     5
    Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.............     6
        Legislative Activities...................................     6
        Oversight Activities.....................................     6
    Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.....     6
        Legislative Activities...................................     6
        Oversight Activities.....................................     7
    Subcommittee on Water and Power..............................     7
        Legislative Activities...................................     7
        Oversight Activities.....................................     7
Appendices:
  I. Printed Hearings.................................................9
 II. Legislation Passed House........................................15
III. List of Public Laws.............................................17
 IV. Committee Prints................................................19
  V. Committee Legislative Reports...................................19
 VI. Oversight Summary...............................................21
VII. H. Res. 72......................................................33
VIII.Views...........................................................41



                                                  Union Calendar No. 82
112th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    112-132

======================================================================



 
   LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL 
                        RESOURCES 112TH CONGRESS

                                _______
                                

  July 1, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole house on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Hastings, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                    ADDITIONAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS

                                Overview

    The Committee on Natural Resources met on January 26, 2011, 
for an organizational meeting of the 112th Congress under the 
direction of Chairman Doc Hastings. The Committee Membership 
was 48 Members with 27 Republicans and 21 Democrats.
    The Committee established five subcommittees: Energy and 
Mineral Resources (Doug Lamborn, Chairman); Fisheries, 
Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs (John Fleming, Chairman); 
Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (Don Young, Chairman); 
National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (Rob Bishop, 
Chairman); and Water and Power (Tom McClintock, Chairman).

                              Jurisdiction

    The jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources, as 
prescribed by clause (m)(1) of Rule X of the Rules of the House 
is as follows:
    (1) Fisheries and wildlife, including research, 
restoration, refuges, and conservation.
    (2) Forest reserves and national parks created from the 
public domain.
    (3) Forfeiture of land grants and alien ownership, 
including alien ownership of mineral lands.
    (4) Geological Survey.
    (5) International fishing agreements.
    (6) Interstate compacts relating to apportionment of waters 
for irrigation purposes.
    (7) Irrigation and reclamation, including water supply for 
reclamation projects and easements of public lands for 
irrigation projects; and acquisition of private lands when 
necessary to complete irrigation projects.
    (8) Native Americans generally, including the care and 
allotment of Native American lands and general and special 
measures relating to claims that are paid out of Native 
American funds.
    (9) Insular possessions of the United States generally 
(except those affecting the revenue and appropriations).
    (10) Military parks and battlefields, national cemeteries 
administered by the Secretary of the Interior, parks within the 
District of Columbia, and the erection of monuments to the 
memory of individuals.
    (11) Mineral land laws and claims and entries thereunder.
    (12) Mineral resources of the public lands.
    (13) Mining interests generally.
    (14) Mining schools and experimental stations.
    (15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management 
(except for measures relating to oil and other pollution of 
navigable waters).
    (16) Oceanography.
    (17) Petroleum conservation on public lands and 
conservation of the radium supply in the United States.
    (18) Preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of 
interest on the public domain.
    (19) Public lands generally, including entry, easements, 
and the grazing thereon.
    (20) Relations of the United States with Native Americans 
and Native American tribes.
    (21) Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline (except ratemaking).

                           Activities Report
               Committee on Natural Resources Statistics

Total number of bills and resolutions referred...................   274
Total number of meeting days:
    Full Committee (12)
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources (5)
    Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular 
      Affairs (5)
    Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (5)
    Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (4)
    Subcommittee on Water and Power (7)
        Total....................................................    38
Total number of bills ordered reported from Committee............     5
Total number of reports filed....................................     3
Total number of bills referred to/discharged by Committee on 
  Natural Resources and passed by the House of Representatives...     5
Total number of public laws......................................     1
Total number of bills enacted into law*..........................     1

----------
*Includes House and Senate Resolutions.

                             Full Committee


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative and Administrative Hearings and Markups

    January 26, 2011--Full Committee met to organize for the 
112th Congress; to adopt the Committee Rules, agree to an 
oversight plan, and adopt the Committee Staff Hiring 
Resolution.
    April 13, 2011--Markup held on H.R. 1229, to amend the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and 
timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of 
Mexico; H.R. 1230, to require the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1231, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas 
leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most 
prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil 
and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes.
    May 25, 2011--Markup held on H.R. 290, to amend title 36, 
United States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating the 
service of the United States Armed Forces may contain religious 
symbols, and for other purposes; and H.R. 1670, to amend the 
Sikes Act to improve the application of that Act to State-owned 
facilities used for the national defense.

  II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

A. Oversight Hearings

    January 26, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``The Final Report 
from the President's National Commission on the BP Deepwater 
Horizon Spill and Offshore Drilling.''
    March 1, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``The Impact of the 
Administration's Wild Lands Order on Jobs and Economic 
Growth.''
    March 3, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Department of the 
Interior Spending and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget 
Proposal.''
    March 16, 2011--Oversight hearing on the ``Obama 
Administration's De Facto Moratorium in the Gulf: State, 
Community and Economic Impacts.''
    March 17, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Domestic Resources and Economic Impacts.''
    March 30, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the 
Spending Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), and the 
President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.''
    March 31, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Impacts on Businesses and Families.''
    April 18, 2011--Oversight field hearing in Houma, 
Louisiana, on ``Gulf of Mexico: A Focus on Community Recovery 
and New Response Technology.''
    May 3, 2011--Joint oversight hearing with the Committee on 
Agriculture on ``At Risk: American Jobs, Agriculture, Health 
and Species--the Costs of Federal Regulatory Dysfunction.''
    May 13, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``American Energy 
Initiative: Identifying Roadblocks to Wind and Solar Energy on 
Public Lands and Waters, Part I--Department of the Interior 
Officials.''
    May 25, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Impacts on Seniors, Working Families and Memorial Day 
Vacations.''

              Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative Hearings

    April 6, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 1229, to amend the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and 
timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of 
Mexico; H.R. 1230, to require the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1231, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas 
leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most 
prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil 
and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes.

  II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND MINERAL 
                               RESOURCES

A. Oversight Hearings

    March 9, 2011--Oversight hearing to ``Examine the Spending 
Priorities and the Missions of the U.S. Geological Survey and 
the President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.''
    April 5, 2011--Oversight hearing on the ``Effect of the 
President's FY-2012 Budget and Legislative Proposals for the 
Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service's Energy 
and Minerals Programs on Private Sector Job Creation, Domestic 
Energy and Minerals Production and Deficit Reduction.''
    April 7, 2011--Oversight hearing on the ``Effect of the 
President's FY-2012 Budget and Legislative Proposals for the 
Office of Surface Mining on Private Sector Job Creation, 
Domestic Energy Production, State Programs and Deficit 
Reduction.''
    May 24, 2011--Oversight hearing on the ``Strategic and 
Critical Minerals Policy: Domestic Minerals Supplies and 
Demands in a Time of Foreign Supply Disruptions.''

    Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative Hearings

    April 7, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 258, to require the 
Office of Management and Budget to prepare a crosscut budget 
for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, to 
require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and 
implement an adaptive management plan, and for other purposes; 
H.R. 306, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild 
horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge; 
H.R. 588, to redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge 
as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge; and S. 
266, a bill to redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge 
as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
    May 12, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 295, to amend the 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize 
funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic 
services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, 
delineating the United States extended continental shelf, and 
the monitoring and description of coastal changes; H.R. 670, to 
convey certain submerged lands to the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands in order to give that territory the 
same benefits in its submerged lands as Guam, the Virgin 
Islands, and American Samoa have in their submerged lands; H.R. 
991, to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow 
importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in 
Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a 
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; 
H.R. 1160, to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
the McKinney Lake National Fish Hatchery to the State of North 
Carolina, and for other purposes; and H.R. 1670, to amend the 
Sikes Act to improve the application of that Act to State-owned 
facilities used for the national defense.

 II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, 
                       OCEANS AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

A. Oversight Hearings

    March 2, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``The Department of the 
Interior Spending for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
the Office of Insular Affairs and the President's Fiscal Year 
2012 Budget Request for the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service and the Office of Insular Affairs.''
    March 31, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Spending for the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
National Marine Fisheries Service and the President's Fiscal 
Year 2012 Budget Request for These Agencies.''
    May 26, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Buying More Land When 
We Can't Maintain What We Already Own: The National Wildlife 
Refuge System's Operations and Maintenance Backlog Story!''

            Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative Hearings

    April 5, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 887, to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to submit a report on Indian land 
fractionation, and for other purposes.
    May 26, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 1408, to provide for the 
settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act, and for other purposes.

   II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AND ALASKA 
                             NATIVE AFFAIRS

A. Oversight Hearings

    March 8, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``The Effectiveness of 
Federal Spending on Native American Programs, and on the 
President's FY 2012 Budget Request for the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs and the Office of the Special Trustee for American 
Indians.''
    April 1, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Tribal Development of 
Energy Resources and the Creation of Energy Jobs on Indian 
Lands.''
    May 24, 2011--Joint oversight hearing with the Subcommittee 
on Water and Power on ``Protecting Long-Term Tribal Energy Jobs 
and Keeping Arizona Water and Power Costs Affordable: The 
Current and Future Role of the Navajo Generating Station.''

        Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative Hearings

    May 4, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 241, to authorize the 
conveyance of certain National Forest System lands in the Los 
Padres National Forest in California; H.R. 290, to amend title 
36, United States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating 
the service of the United States Armed Forces may contain 
religious symbols, and for other purposes; H.R. 320, to 
designate a Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial at the 
March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California; H.R. 441, to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a 
microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the boundaries 
of Denali National Park and Preserve, to acquire land for 
Denali National Park and Preserve from Doyon Tourism, Inc., and 
for other purposes; H.R. 643, to provide for the exchange of 
certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests 
in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes; H.R. 686, to 
require the conveyance of certain public land within the 
boundaries of Camp Williams, Utah, to support the training and 
readiness of the Utah National Guard; H.R. 765, to amend the 
National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to clarify the 
authority of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding additional 
recreational uses of National Forest System land that is 
subject to ski area permits, and for other purposes; H.R. 850, 
to facilitate a proposed project in the Lower St. Croix Wild 
and Scenic River, and for other purposes; H.R. 944, to 
eliminate an unused lighthouse reservation, provide management 
consistency by incorporating the rocks and small islands along 
the coast of Orange County, California, into the California 
Coastal National Monument managed by the Bureau of Land 
Management, and meet the original Congressional intent of 
preserving Orange County's rocks and small islands, and for 
other purposes; H.R. 1022, to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating 
and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early 
years of the National Parks, and for other purposes; and H.R. 
1141, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the 
suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, 
historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park 
System.

II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS 
                            AND PUBLIC LANDS

A. Oversight Hearings

    March 8, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the 
Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Land 
Management and the U.S. Forest Service and the President's FY 
2012 Budget Proposal.''
    March 10, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the 
Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the National Park 
Service and the President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.''
    April 15, 2011--Joint oversight hearing, with the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National 
Security, Homeland Defense, and Foreign Operations on ``The 
Border: Are Environmental Laws and Regulation Impeding Security 
and Harming the Environment?''

                    Subcommittee on Water and Power


                       I. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

A. Legislative Hearings

    May 12, 2011--Hearing held on H.R. 470, to further allocate 
and expand the availability of hydroelectric power generated at 
Hoover Dam, and for other purposes; H.R. 489, to clarify the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to 
the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir, and for other purposes; and 
H.R. 818, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for 
prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and 
the Uintah Water Conservancy District.

    II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER AND POWER

A. Oversight Hearings

    March 2, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the 
Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of 
Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources 
Program.''
    March 15, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the 
Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the Bonneville Power 
Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the 
Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power 
Administration.''
    April 5, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Creating Abundant 
Water and Power Supplies and Job Growth by Restoring Common 
Sense to Federal Regulations.''
    April 11, 2011--Oversight field hearing in Fresno, 
California, on ``Creating Jobs by Overcoming Man-Made Drought: 
Time for Congress to Listen and Act.''
    May 4, 2011--Oversight hearing on ``Protecting Federal 
Hydropower Investments in the West: A Stakeholder's 
Perspective.''
    May 24, 2011--Joint oversight hearing, with the 
Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, on 
``Protecting Long-Term Tribal Energy Jobs and Keeping Arizona 
Water and Power Costs Affordable: The Current and Future Role 
of the Navajo Generating Station.''
                               APPENDIX I

                            Printed Hearings

    112-1--Oversight hearing on the Final Report from The 
President's National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon 
Spill and Offshore Drilling. January 26, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Full Committee)
    112-2--Oversight hearing titled ``The Impact of the 
Administration's Wild Lands Order on Jobs and Economic 
Growth.'' March 1, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-3--Oversight hearing on the Department of the Interior 
Spending for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Office 
of Insular Affairs and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget 
Request for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
Office of Insular Affairs. March 2, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular 
Affairs)
    112-4--Oversight hearing titled ``Examining the Spending, 
Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Reclamation and 
the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Program.'' March 
2, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Water and Power)
    112-5--Oversight hearing titled ``Department of the 
Interior Spending and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget 
Proposal.'' March 3, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-6--Oversight hearing on ``The Effectiveness of Federal 
Spending on Native American Programs, and on the President's FY 
2012 Budget Request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the 
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.'' March 8, 
2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska 
Native Affairs)
    112-7--Oversight hearing titled ``Examining the Spending, 
Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Land Management 
and the U.S. Forest Service and the President's FY 2012 Budget 
Proposal.'' March 8, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on 
National Parks, Forests and Public Lands)
    112-8--Oversight hearing to ``Examine the Spending 
Priorities and the Missions of the U.S. Geological Survey and 
the President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.'' March 9, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources)
    112-9--Oversight hearing titled ``Examining the Spending, 
Priorities and the Missions of the National Park Service and 
the President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.'' March 10, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and 
Public Lands)
    112-10--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the Spending, 
Priorities and the Missions of the Bonneville Power 
Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the 
Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power 
Administration.'' March 15, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Water and Power)
    112-11--Oversight hearing on the ``Obama Administration's 
De Facto Moratorium in the Gulf: State, Community and Economic 
Impacts.'' March 16, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-12--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Domestic Resources and Economic Impacts.'' March 17, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-13--Oversight hearing on ``Examining the Spending 
Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), and the 
President's FY 2012 Budget Proposal.'' March 30, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-14--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Impacts on Businesses and Families.'' March 31, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    112-15--Oversight hearing on ``Spending for the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget 
Request for these Agencies.'' March 31, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular 
Affairs)
    112-16--Oversight hearing titled ``Tribal Development of 
Energy Resources and the Creation of Energy Jobs on Indian 
Lands.'' April 1, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on 
Indian and Alaska Native Affairs)
    112-17--Oversight hearing on the ``Effect of the 
President's FY 2012 Budget and Legislative Proposals for the 
Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service's Energy 
and Minerals Programs on Private Sector Job Creation, Domestic 
Energy and Minerals Production and Deficit Reduction.'' April 
5, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources)
    112-18--Hearing on H.R. 887, to direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to submit a report on Indian land fractionation, and 
for other purposes. April 5, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs)
    112-19--Oversight hearing on ``Creating Abundant Water and 
Power Supplies and Job Growth by Restoring Common Sense to 
Federal Regulations.'' April 5, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Water and Power)
    112-20--Hearing on H.R. 1229, to amend the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and timely 
production of American energy resources from the Gulf of 
Mexico; H.R. 1230, to require the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1231, to require the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, 
and for other purposes. April 6, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources)
    112-21--Oversight hearing on the ``Effect of the 
President's FY 2012 Budget and Legislative Proposals for the 
Office of Surface Mining on Private Sector Job Creation, 
Domestic Energy Production, State Programs and Deficit 
Reduction.'' April 7, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on 
Energy and Mineral Resources)
    112-22--Hearing on H.R. 258, to require the Office of 
Management and Budget to prepare a crosscut budget for 
restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, to 
require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and 
implement an adaptive management plan, and for other purposes; 
H.R. 306, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, Currituck 
County, and the State of North Carolina to provide for the 
management of free-roaming wild horses in and around the 
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge; H.R. 588, to redesignate 
the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton 
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge; and S. 266, a bill to 
redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. 
Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. April 7, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans 
and Insular Affairs)
    112-23--Oversight field hearing in Fresno, California, 
titled ``Creating Jobs by Overcoming Man-made Drought: Time for 
Congress to Listen and Act.'' April 11, 2011, Fresno, 
California. (Subcommittee on Water and Power)
    112-24--Joint oversight hearing titled ``The Border: Are 
Environmental Laws and Regulation Impeding Security and Harming 
the Environment?'' April 15, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands with 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee 
on National Security, Homeland Defense, and Foreign Operations)
    112-25--Oversight field hearing in Houma, Louisiana, titled 
``Gulf of Mexico: A Focus on Community Recovery and New 
Response Technology.'' April 18, 2011, Houma, Louisiana. (Full 
Committee)
    112-26--Joint oversight hearing on Federal Endangered 
Species Act consultations on pesticides registered under the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act titled ``At 
Risk: American Jobs, Agriculture, Health and Species--The Costs 
of Federal Regulatory Dysfunction.'' May 3, 2011, Washington, 
D.C. (Full Committee with the Committee on Agriculture)
    112-27--Oversight hearing on ``Protecting Federal 
Hydropower Investments in the West: A Stakeholders 
Perspective.'' May 4, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on 
Water and Power)
    112-28--Hearing on H.R. 241, to authorize the conveyance of 
certain National Forest System lands in the Los Padres National 
Forest in California; H.R. 290, to amend title 36, United 
States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating the service 
of the United States Armed Forces may contain religious 
symbols, and for other purposes; H.R. 320, to designate a 
Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial at the March Field 
Air Museum in Riverside, California; H.R. 441, to authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a microhydro 
project in nonwilderness areas within the boundaries of Denali 
National Park and Preserve, to acquire land for Denali National 
Park and Preserve from Doyon Tourism, Inc., and for other 
purposes; H.R. 643, to provide for the exchange of certain land 
located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State 
of Colorado, and for other purposes; H.R. 686, to require the 
conveyance of certain public land within the boundaries of Camp 
Williams, Utah, to support the training and readiness of the 
Utah National Guard; H.R. 765, to amend the National Forest Ski 
Area Permit Act of 1986 to clarify the authority of the 
Secretary of Agriculture regarding additional recreational uses 
of National Forest System land that is subject to ski area 
permits, and for other purposes; H.R. 850, to facilitate a 
proposed project in the Lower St. Croix Wild and Scenic River, 
and for other purposes; H.R. 944, to eliminate an unused 
lighthouse reservation, provide management consistency by 
incorporating the rocks and small islands along the coast of 
Orange County, California, into the California Coastal National 
Monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and meet the 
original Congressional intent of preserving Orange County's 
rocks and small islands, and for other purposes; H.R. 1022, to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of 
alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the 
Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and 
for other purposes; and H.R. 1141, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of 
designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites 
on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a 
unit of the National Park System. May 4, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands)
    111-29--Hearing on H.R. 470, to further allocate and expand 
the availability of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover 
Dam, and for other purposes; H.R. 489, to clarify the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to 
the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir, and for other purposes; and 
H.R. 818, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for 
prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and 
the Uintah Water Conservancy District. May 12, 2011, 
Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Water and Power)
    111-30--Hearing on H.R. 295, to amend the Hydrographic 
Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize funds to acquire 
hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services specific to 
the Arctic for safe navigation, delineating the United States 
extended continental shelf, and the monitoring and description 
of coastal changes; H.R. 670, to convey certain submerged lands 
to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to 
give that territory the same benefits in its submerged lands as 
Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa have in their 
submerged lands; H.R. 991, to amend the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear 
trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the 
polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973; H.R. 1160, to require the 
Secretary of the Interior to convey the McKinney Lake National 
Fish Hatchery to the State of North Carolina, and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1670, to amend the Sikes Act to improve the 
application of that Act to State-owned facilities used for the 
national defense. May 12, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee 
on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs)
    111-31--Oversight hearing on the ``American Energy 
Initiative: Identifying Roadblocks to Wind and Solar Energy on 
Public Lands and Waters, Part 1--Department of the Interior 
Officials.'' May 13, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    111-32--Joint oversight hearing on ``Protecting Long-Term 
Tribal Energy Jobs and Keeping Arizona Water and Power Costs 
Affordable: The Current and Future Role of the Navajo 
Generating Station.'' May 24, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Water and Power, and Subcommittee Indian and 
Alaska Native Affairs)
    111-33--Oversight hearing on the ``Strategic and Critical 
Minerals Policy: Domestic Minerals Supplies and Demands in a 
time of Foreign Supply Disruptions.'' May 24, 2011, Washington, 
D.C. (Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources)
    111-34--Oversight hearing on ``Harnessing American 
Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: 
Impacts on Seniors, Working Families and Memorial Day 
Vacations.'' May 25, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Full Committee)
    111-35--Oversight hearing on ``Buying More Land When We 
Can't Maintain What We Already Own: The National Wildlife 
Refuge System's Operations and Maintenance Backlog Story!'' May 
26, 2011, Washington, D.C. (Subcommittee on Fisheries, 
Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs)
    111-36--Hearing on H.R. 1408, to provide for the settlement 
of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act, and for other purposes. May 26, 2011, Washington, D.C. 
(Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs)
                              APPENDIX II

                        Legislation Passed House

              BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS PASSED HOUSE (BY DATE)

    [Asterisk (*) denotes bills that the Committee on Natural 
Resources was not the lead Committee]
    01/19/2011--H.R. 2*, to repeal the job-killing health care 
law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and 
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Passed House by vote of 
245-189.
    03/02/2011--H.R. 662*, to provide an extension of Federal-
aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and 
other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending 
enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs. 
Passed House, as amended, by vote of 421-4. (Public Law 111-5)
    05/05/2011--H.R. 1230, to require the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, 
and for other purposes. Passed House by vote of 266-149.
    05/11/2011--H.R. 1229, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act to facilitate the safe and timely production of 
American energy resources from the Gulf of Mexico. Passed 
House, as amended, by vote of 263-163.
    05/12/2011--H.R. 1231, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas 
leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most 
prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil 
and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes. Passed 
House, as amended, by vote of 243-179.
                              APPENDIX III

                          List of Public Laws

    [Asterisk (*) denotes bills that were not referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources but contain legislation that was 
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources]
    Public Law 112-5: (H.R. 662) Surface Transportation 
Extension Act of 2011
                              APPENDIX IV

                            Committee Prints

                               Appendix V

                     Committee Legislative Reports

    House Report 112-67, Part 1, (H.R. 1229), to amend the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and 
timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of 
Mexico.
    House Report 112-68 (H.R. 1230), to require the Secretary 
of the Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease 
sales, and for other purposes.
    House Report 112-69 (H.R. 1231), to amend the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year 
offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas 
with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a 
domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other 
purposes.
                              APPENDIX VI

                             Oversight Plan

    At the organizational meeting for the 112th Congress, the 
Committee on Natural Resources adopted by voice vote the 
Oversight Plan printed below:

                              INTRODUCTION

    Under clause 2 of Rule X of the House of Representatives, 
each standing committee of the House has general oversight 
responsibilities to determine whether laws and programs 
addressing subjects within its jurisdiction are being 
implemented in accordance with the intent of Congress and to 
determine whether they should be continued, reformed, 
curtailed, or eliminated.
    In past Congresses, the Committee on Natural Resources has 
been lax in performing a core Constitutional duty of the 
Legislative Branch to examine and question the Executive 
Branch's implementation and administration of laws written by 
the Congress. This lack of fundamental oversight by the 
Committee occurred under both Democrat and Republican 
Majorities, and when examining both Democrat and Republican 
Presidential Administrations.
    In the 112th Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources, 
and its five Subcommittees, will be fully committed to 
fulfilling their oversight responsibilities. In prioritizing 
the oversight work of the Committee and Subcommittees, the 
emphasis will be placed first and foremost on (1) job creation 
and economic growth, and (2) reducing spending and eliminating 
unnecessary, duplicative and unaffordable government programs.
    This oversight plan outlines the initial, primary focuses 
of the Committee and Subcommittees, though additional oversight 
activities are expected to be generated throughout the first 
and second sessions of the Congress. As the Committee and 
Subcommittees review the budgets, spending and merit of 
programs and agencies under their jurisdiction, it is expected 
that these additional oversight topics will be brought to light 
and addressed in an open, transparent manner. And as the 
Committee shines a spotlight on the regulations and policies 
unilaterally imposed or proposed by the Interior Department and 
other agencies, further oversight needs will assuredly be 
identified.

              SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

    Creating Jobs and Increasing Energy Independence Through 
Safe and Responsible All-of-the-Above Energy and Mineral 
Production--The Subcommittee and full Committee will examine 
the nation's energy and mineral policies, how they affect the 
nation's economy and job creation, how they affect the 
viability of domestic energy (including renewable and 
alternative sources) and domestic manufacturing (both 
industrial and high-tech), and how the Administration's actions 
are affecting gasoline prices, energy costs, and revenues for 
federal and state treasuries. A prime focus will be upon the 
importance of and need for an all-of-the above approach to 
increase domestic energy production and strengthen our mineral 
security to create high-paying family wage jobs, increase our 
economic competitiveness and strengthen our national security.
    Budget and Spending Review--The Subcommittee's jurisdiction 
covers five Interior Department agencies, and programs within 
two others: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management (BOEM), Bureau of Safety, Environment and 
Enforcement (BSEE), Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), 
Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the energy and minerals 
programs of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest 
Service (USFS). The Subcommittee will examine each of these 
agencies for opportunities to streamline, reduce costs, and 
either close or consolidate outdated programs.
    Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Natural Gas--Ensuring 
the safety and viability of American offshore oil and natural 
gas production will be a prime focus of the full Committee and 
Subcommittee. Oversight activities will be broad and inclusive 
of the many timely issues relating to the OCS. These include: 
the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill, as 
well as its causes and the response by both the federal 
government and responsible parties; the impact on and ongoing 
needs of Gulf Coast communities; the structure of federal 
regulatory agencies and Interior Department's reorganization of 
the Minerals Management Service into three new divisions (BOEM, 
BSEE, ONRR); reforms to existing laws governing offshore 
activities and the oil spill response; the Administration's de 
facto moratorium in the Gulf and its impact on jobs and 
domestic supply; the official moratoriums imposed by President 
Obama on multiple areas of the OCS, as well as the ability to 
proceed with activities in areas of Alaska; and the importance 
of domestic production to job creation and America's economic 
and national security.
    Onshore Oil and Natural Gas Programs--The Subcommittee will 
hold hearings on the state of oil and gas leasing on federal 
onshore lands in the western United States. Hearings will focus 
on leasing delays and declines in production from federal 
lands. The Subcommittee will focus on specific controversies 
associated with leasing in Utah, Montana and Wyoming, as well 
as the newly proposed policy related to use of hydraulic 
fracturing on federal lands.
    Gasoline Prices--The Subcommittee will conduct hearings on 
the price of gasoline and oil and its impact on family budgets, 
small businesses, and job creation and economic activity 
generally. This examination of gas and oil prices will include 
review of America's dependence on foreign oil and natural gas, 
and the ability to reduce our dependence through specific 
domestic production activities.
    Royalties and Revenues--In 2008, the federal government 
raised more than $23 billion in revenue from bonus bids, rents 
and royalties related to oil and gas activities on federal 
lands. Today, with oil prices at or near the same level, the 
revenue estimates for fiscal year 2011 could be as low as $7.5 
billion, a decline of more than 60%. At a time of record 
national debt and federal budget deficits, as well as high 
unemployment, it is important for the Subcommittee to examine 
the causes of this decline and opportunities for creating jobs 
and generating additional revenue for the federal and state 
governments through new activity. There will also be an 
examination of the current royalty collection system, including 
technology advancements that could reduce costs and improve 
accuracy of collection.
    Renewable and Alternative Energy--The Subcommittee will 
conduct oversight over current solar, geothermal and wind 
programs operated by BLM and USFS, and examine what steps may 
be necessary to advance and speed the deployment of these 
technologies on federal lands. The Subcommittee will also 
explore the advancements in OCS wind leasing, including what 
steps, if any, are needed to help streamline the leasing and 
permitting of new wind facilities on the OCS to ensure that 
those interested in promoting OCS wind resources can create 
jobs and are not delayed by federal bureaucratic red tape.
    National Minerals Security Strategy--The Subcommittee will 
be conducting a multifaceted oversight strategy related to the 
development of a National Minerals Security Strategy. In the 
last year, there were significant concerns raised about the 
ability to obtain strategic minerals by business, industry and 
government sources. This is a serious national economic and 
security dilemma. It also greatly impacts related jobs 
throughout the country. The Subcommittee intends to conduct 
oversight on a broad range of strategic minerals, including, 
but not limited to, rare earth elements, uranium, and copper. 
This will include a review of domestic resources, current and 
planned production, and possible future production 
opportunities. The Subcommittee will also review, and possibly 
consider legislation to improve, abandoned mine clean-up.
    Coal Mining Regulations and Leasing--The Department of the 
Interior is actively participating in the Obama 
Administration's war on coal, which is causing real economic 
hardship for coal miners, their families and coal communities 
in the United States. The policies of this Administration could 
well cause future unemployment of all coal miners to the 
detriment of our national security, economic well-being and 
energy affordability. Oversight focuses will include regulatory 
changes to: the classification and use of coal ash, the stream 
buffer zone rule, new standards for ``conductivity,'' and 
impacts of the roadless rule regulations on mining operations. 
In addition to budgetary oversight of the Office of Surfacing 
Mining, the Subcommittee will focus on the current 
effectiveness of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 
(SMCRA) and problems associated with permit approvals. ``Clean 
coal'' will also be a focus.
    Federal Mapping Programs--The federal government spends 
billions each year on new geospatial data--spending which is 
frequently duplicative and uncoordinated. During hearings last 
year, witnesses made clear that multiple Administrations have 
exerted little control, central oversight or effective 
management. The Subcommittee intends to examine this issue and 
may consider legislation to consolidate and streamline the 
geospatial programs to reduce waste and duplication. In 
addition, the Subcommittee intends to conduct oversight of 
federal agencies and how they track and monitor their land 
management responsibilities and purposes.
    Oil Shale Research, Demonstration and Development Leasing--
The oil shale lands managed by BLM are the largest known 
concentration of oil shale in the world--what the U.S. 
Geological Survey estimates to be the equivalent of 800 billion 
barrels of recoverable oil. This estimate means this resource 
would be enough to meet U.S. demand for oil at current usage 
levels for 110 years. The bipartisan Energy Policy Act of 2005 
included direction for BLM to establish commercial and 
research, demonstration and development (RD&D) leasing programs 
for oil shale resources. This program reached a high point with 
the completion of long-developed commercial oil shale rules and 
a successful RD&D leasing process. Since then the 
Administration has injected uncertainty into the commercial 
shale rules and changed the terms of the RD&D leases under a 
second lease offering. These steps have resulted in a 
significant decline in private sector investment and research 
on oil shale. By stalling action, new job creation is stymied. 
The Subcommittee plans to examine the impacts of this 
uncertainty, the status of oil shale research leases and 
programs, and consider legislation to set the oil shale program 
back on the path toward success.

    SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, OCEANS AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

    Budget and Spending Review--The Subcommittee will examine 
the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget recommendations, as 
well as existing spending levels, for the Fish and Wildlife 
Service and the Office of Insular Affairs, within the 
Department of the Interior, and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and certain ``wet'' programs of National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of 
Commerce. Stimulus spending under the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 will also be examined, with an 
emphasis on examining how the $4 billion provided to these 
agencies was spent, how many permanent, part-time or temporary 
jobs were created and how the operations and maintenance 
backlog of these agencies has been affected.
    Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act of 1998--More than a decade 
ago, the Congress amended the Sikes Act of 1960 to encourage 
the Department of Defense to provide recreational opportunities 
for disabled individuals. A recent survey has indicated that 
only 25 of the 400 military installations throughout the 
country have made any attempt to provide facilities for 
disabled persons to hunt or fish.
    Invasive Species--There are now thousands of acres of land 
in the United States that are overrun by invasive species, 
including Asian carp, feral pigs, Giant Salvinia, and zebra 
mussels. These foreign invaders are destroying valuable 
infrastructure and are costing taxpayers millions of lost 
dollars.
    Lacey Act Listing of Constrictor Snakes--The Fish and 
Wildlife Service has issued a proposed rule adding nine 
nonnative constrictor snakes species to the Lacey Act, which 
prohibits import as well as interstate commerce in listed 
species. Oversight is needed to assess this proposal and the 
impact of this listing on hundreds of thousands of pet-owners, 
thousands of pet stores, and economic activity that measures in 
the millions of dollars annually.
    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation--This Foundation was 
legislatively created to assist the Fish and Wildlife Service 
in the conservation of its wildlife resources. The 
authorization of taxpayer funds expired on September 30, 2010. 
As a new authorization is considered, the Subcommittee will 
hear from the Foundation and interested and impacted parties.
    National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance 
Backlog--According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
backlog exceeds $3.4 billion, and there are a total of 12,795 
deferred projects. Of this total, 3,472 projects were 
considered ``mission critical'' to the refuge system.
    Refuge Revenue Sharing--In 1935, Congress enacted the 
Refuge Revenue Sharing Act. The purpose of this law was to 
compensate local communities for the loss of tax revenues when 
private land is incorporated within the National Wildlife 
Refuge System. For the past 15 years, the amount of money paid 
to the counties has decreased from 77 percent to a mere 36 
percent of payments.
    White-Nose Syndrome--First documented in February 2006 
outside of Albany, New York, the White-Nose syndrome (WNS) has 
spread rapidly across the Eastern United States killing more 
than 1 million bats that hibernate in caves and mines. The 
Subcommittee will obtain the most current information on the 
impact of WNS on bat species, how federal, state and local 
officials are responding to its spread, what has been the 
economic impact of closing hundreds of caves, and what has been 
learned from federal funds spent seeking an explanation of WNS.
    Wildlife Management Within the National Wildlife Refuge 
System--During the past two years, there has been a tremendous 
increase in the federal acquisition of private land for 
inclusion within the refuge system. This has occurred as the 
operations and maintenance backlog continues to skyrocket. The 
Subcommittee will examine how this dramatic shift in funding is 
affecting wildlife management, what adverse effects it has 
caused on fish and wildlife populations, and whether 
unnecessary access restrictions have been placed on anglers, 
hunters and recreationists.
    Insular Areas General Oversight--The Subcommittee expects 
to review the fundamental issues facing each of the territories 
and freely associated states: support and development of self-
government and self-determination; job creation, economic 
development and self-sufficiency through the private sector; 
accountability of federal funds; enforcement of federal laws; 
implementation and funding for the Compacts of Free 
Association; and management of limited land and water 
resources.
    International Fisheries Agreements and International 
Compliance--In addition to numerous international fisheries 
treaties already in existence, a number of new international 
treaties and agreements are being negotiated to ensure 
compliance of vessels fishing on the high seas. In addition, 
the U.S. has taken aggressive action to combat Illegal, 
Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. The 
Subcommittee will examine the need for such treaties and how 
the IUU fishing practices harm the U.S. fishing industry.
    Ocean Governance/National Ocean Council and Coastal and 
Marine Spatial Planning--Through an Executive Order, the White 
House created a new National Ocean Council (NOC) and a 
structure for a new Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning 
initiative. The Committee and Subcommittee will examine the 
authority used to create this entity and initiative, what 
sources of funding will be used, what authorities this new 
entity will have, what effect any new policy initiatives from 
the NOC will have on other departments and agencies, and how 
this administrative action may impact jobs and economic 
activity, including energy production, recreational and 
commercial fishing, coastal ports and industries, and up-stream 
activities including farming and agricultural production.
    NOAA's Education Programs--NOAA currently has more than a 
dozen education programs, most of which were created either 
through earmarks or through broad authority in the America 
COMPETES Act. The Subcommittee will examine the authority, 
funding, necessity for, partner organizations, and possible 
overlap of programs.
    Mapping and Charting Program--Hydrographic and geodetic 
surveys are critical components for safe transportation, 
including within Arctic regions. The Committee will continue 
its oversight authority with regard to mapping and charting 
activities within NOAA and the coordination of these activities 
across federal agencies to reduce duplication.
    Marine Protected Areas, National Marine Sanctuaries, Marine 
Monuments--The National Marine Sanctuaries Program includes 14 
sanctuaries and one national marine monument. In recent years, 
a number of sanctuaries have revised their designation 
documents and in some cases, have restricted the ability of 
various user groups to access sanctuary resources or waters. In 
addition, other authorities have been used by federal agencies 
to designate marine protected areas. These authorities often 
overlap. Oversight topics will include: the sanctuary program 
budget; the existing sanctuary vessel fleet; expansions of 
missions and/or restrictions on specific activities through 
changes in designation documents; expansions of individual 
sanctuaries; the designation of marine monuments and other 
marine protected areas; and expansion of the program in 
general.
    Fishery Restrictions Resulting From Protected Resources 
Designations--There are a number of fisheries that currently 
are or will be restricted due to interactions or perceived 
interactions with protected animals. In many cases, the 
scientific information being used to implement the restrictions 
is either incomplete or outdated. Because NOAA has diverted 
funding from gathering the information necessary to adequately 
manage the natural resources under their jurisdiction, the 
agency is causing job losses and economic hardships for coastal 
and fishery-dependent communities. The Subcommittee will 
examine a number of specific examples illustrating these 
concerns.
    Fisheries Strategic Research Plan--In recent years, NOAA 
has proposed the creation of a number of new line offices or 
initiatives, including the creation of a NOAA Climate Service 
and implementation of a national catch share program. At the 
same time, funding for basic fisheries and marine mammal 
surveys necessary to support management of the nation's fishery 
resources have remained inadequate. As surveys are postponed or 
cut, the confidence in the stock assessments decline, causing 
harvest levels to be cut resulting in job losses and economic 
stress on fishery-dependent communities. The Subcommittee will 
examine the NOAA's long-term commitment to the harvest of 
fishery resources and the research necessary to ensure the 
sustainability of those resources and those who depend on those 
resources.
    Marine Mammal Protection Act--The law prohibits, with few 
exceptions, the harm or harassment of marine mammals without a 
permit. The authorization of appropriations for the Act expired 
in 1999. The Committee will continue its oversight authorities 
with regard to the implementation and enforcement of the Act.

            SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE AFFAIRS

    Budget and Spending Review--The Committee will review the 
budget, spending, and staffing levels for the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
and other Departments, offices and functions relating to Indian 
and Alaska Native affairs. Stimulus spending will also be 
examined.
    Federal Barriers to Economic and Energy Development on 
Indian Lands--Certain federal laws and policies governing the 
management of federal lands and other public resources are 
applied to the management of lands and resources owned by, or 
held in restricted status for, tribes and individual Indians. 
The Subcommittee will review whether it is appropriate to treat 
lands belonging to Indians as though they are public lands.
    Cobell v. Salazar Settlement Implementation--The proposed 
settlement of the long-running Cobell v. Salazar lawsuit was 
authorized pursuant to the Claims Resolution Act (Public Law 
111-291). This Act was passed by Congress under procedures that 
precluded amendments to correct several flaws identified by 
respected tribes, tribal organizations, and noted experts. The 
implementation of this settlement will be examined.
    Trust Reform--Without nominating a Special Trustee for 
American Indians or submitting to the Committee on Natural 
Resources a plan for improving management of individual Indian 
and tribal trust resources, the Obama Administration has 
displayed little or no progress in assisting tribes in their 
goal of self-determination. The Subcommittee will examine these 
issues in greater detail through oversight hearings.
    Fee-to-Trust Issues, including Carcieri v. Salazar--The 
2009 Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar was one of 
the most significant judicial actions concerning Indian lands 
since 1934. In the 112th Congress, fee-to-trust issues will be 
considered, including the impact of Carcieri, in a thoughtful, 
transparent, open process.
    Alaska Natives--The Committee will review the 
implementation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and 
amendments made to the Act in recent years, including to 
correct technical problems.
    Natural Resources Management on Indian Reservations--The 
Department of the Interior holds approximately 56 million acres 
of land in trust or restricted status for tribes and individual 
Indians. The Committee will review the current law and 
Departmental policies and actions concerning these resources in 
furtherance of the goal of increasing tribal self-governance, 
as well as job creation, and economic development opportunities 
for the benefit of Native Americans.
    Tribal Law and Order Act Implementation--In the 111th 
Congress, the House Democrat Leadership bypassed regular order 
and passed a major overhaul of laws relating to crime and law 
enforcement in Indian Country. In the 112th Congress, the 
Subcommittee will review the implementation and impact of this 
Act through a transparent, open process that allows an 
opportunity for broad participation.
    Indian Health Care Improvement Act Implementation/Indian 
Health Service--In the 110th and 111th Congresses, the House 
Democrat Leadership refused to consider a bipartisan Indian 
Health Care Improvement Act. Instead, in the last Congress, 
Democrat Leaders took the risky move of adding it to the 
Obamacare federal government takeover of health care 
legislation. This course of action injected Indian health care 
reauthorization into a heated political debate. Indian health 
care is due special treatment because of Congress's authority 
over Indian affairs under the Constitution. In the 112th 
Congress the Subcommittee will review implementation of Indian 
health care through regular order on a bipartisan basis.
    Gaming--In 2009, a total of $26.5 billion in gambling 
revenues (amounts wagered less prizes paid) were generated by 
233 tribes operating 419 casinos regulated under the Indian 
Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (source: National Indian Gaming 
Commission). This sum is nearly triple the $9.8 billion in 
revenues generated just ten years ago in 1999, and an estimated 
one-quarter of all gambling revenues generated nationwide in 
all types of lawful gambling operations. Over the last four 
years, the Committee has conducted very little oversight of 
this major industry. In the 112th Congress, it would be 
responsible to ensure that appropriate enforcement and 
oversight by the National Indian Gaming Commission, Department 
of the Interior, and Department of Justice are being conducted.

        SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND PUBLIC LANDS

    Budget and Spending Review--The Subcommittee will review 
the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for programs under its 
jurisdiction, as well as current spending levels for all 
agencies and programs. Agency heads of the National Park 
Service, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) and public witnesses will be invited to testify at a 
hearing or hearings. Stimulus spending will also be examined.
    Border Security--The Subcommittee will conduct oversight on 
how implementation of environmental laws on federal lands 
affects border security.
    Strengthening Core National Park Functions of Stewardship, 
Visitor Experience and Maintenance of National Park 
Facilities--The Subcommittee will seek ways to ensure that the 
National Park Service's basic mission and resources are 
protected and that park budget constraints, if they occur, 
affect only nontraditional park activities.
    New National Park Units--Proposals for additional parks and 
park expansions will be examined with due regard for the merits 
of the proposal, spending constraints, the need for access to 
vital resources, and protection of property rights.
    National Park Management--The Subcommittee will conduct 
oversight on ways to lessen the operations and maintenance 
backlog and foster and expand wholesome, family enjoyment of 
the parks.
    National Forests/Wilderness Designations and Releases--
Hearings will be held on proposals to designate wilderness 
areas and to release areas not suited for designation.
    Forest Health and Wildfires--The Subcommittee will hold 
oversight hearings on forest health, wildfire prevention and 
suppression, and implementation of the various Forest Service 
authorities.
    National Forest County Payments and School Funding--An 
examination of the impacts of this program on local communities 
and governments will be undertaken in anticipation of its 
pending expiration and need for Congressional action.
    Resources on Forest Service Lands--Hearings will be held on 
ways to ensure that appropriate environmental standards are 
incorporated in the management of Forest Service lands 
consistent with the need for jobs in resource dependent 
communities, growth of our country's economy and diverse 
recreational activities.
    Cabin Fees--Action will be taken to seek a revenue neutral 
means to keep affordable the fees charged to owners of private 
cabins on Forest Service Lands.
    National Forest System Recreation--Oversight will be 
conducted on ideas for maintaining open public recreational 
access without onerous fees.
    Forest Service Budget--Oversight will be conducted on how 
best to strengthen the Forest Service's basic mission and 
lessen the diversion of budget and personnel resources into 
less productive activities. Also, oversight will be conducted 
on the Forest Service's proposed Planning Rule.
    Bureau of Land Management ``Wild Lands'' Proposal--
Oversight will be conducted on the use of peremptory 
administrative actions that create de facto wilderness areas 
without Congressional action or local input. The impact on 
recreation and job creation will be a focus.
    Bureau of Land Management Land Exchanges--The Subcommittee 
will seek opportunities to implement mutually advantageous and 
otherwise beneficial land exchanges--especially those that 
consolidate land for protection and for economic activity that 
can create jobs for Americans.
    Jobs and Bureau of Land Management's Contribution to 
Economic Growth and Security--Oversight will be conducted on 
ways to ensure that appropriate environmental standards are 
incorporated in the management of BLM lands that provide 
secure, domestic sources of energy, food, minerals, jobs and 
recreation.
    National Landscape Conservation System--Oversight will be 
conducted on the use of peremptory administrative actions that 
create de facto wilderness areas without Congressional action 
or local input.
    Wild Horses and Burros--Oversight will be conducted on 
BLM's management of wild horses and burros.
    Bureau of Land Management Budget--Oversight will be 
conducted on how best to strengthen the Bureau of Land 
Management's basic mission and lessen the diversion of budget 
and personnel resources into less productive activities.

                    SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER AND POWER

    Budget and Spending Review--At a time of growing water 
supply needs, water-use conflicts, curtailment of water 
deliveries due to federal regulation and a $14 trillion 
national debt, the Subcommittee intends to examine the Bureau 
of Reclamation's and the U.S. Geological Survey's annual budget 
requests, spending and stimulus spending. The goal of such 
oversight is to determine whether the agencies are accountable 
to the American taxpayers, ratepayers and other beneficiaries 
and to ascertain whether they are fulfilling their core 
missions.
    Oversight of the Power Marketing Administration Budgets--
The four Power Marketing Administrations--the Bonneville Power 
Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the 
Southwestern Power Administration and the Southeastern Power 
Administration--sell hydropower generated at federal dams and 
reservoirs to wholesale customers that serve millions of retail 
electricity consumers. In many cases, these energy prices have 
increased or the supply has significantly decreased due to a 
number of factors. The Subcommittee intends to examine the 
reasons for the price increases, whether these agencies are 
reducing internal costs to mitigate for such increases and if 
they are fulfilling their historical missions.
    Increasing Traditional Water Supplies--Visionary leaders 
developed much of the western water supply infrastructure that 
urban and rural communities have depended upon for generations. 
These existing water storage and delivery projects continue to 
serve millions today, but their operations are being curtailed 
by endless litigation and agencies bent upon rationing water 
supplies. The Subcommittee intends to focus on the need to not 
only protect existing water storage/conveyance facilities but 
to examine and overcome regulatory, financial and other 
barriers to building new ones as a way of returning to a policy 
of abundance.
    Water Project Financing--The Subcommittee intends to 
analyze different types of water projects to determine the most 
cost-effective approach to providing new water supplies and 
other benefits. This examination will include but not be 
limited to a determination of project's purposes, cost per acre 
foot, water and non-water benefits and the current process used 
to determinate cost/benefit ratios.
    California Water Supplies at a Crossroads--Although the 
Subcommittee will focus on the entire western water supply 
situation, there will be hearings on ways to deliver more water 
to California communities in need. Many of these communities 
have experienced high unemployment due to recent man-made water 
shortages in California. Yet even in current times of high 
precipitation, millions of acre feet are not captured due to 
regulation and lack of adequate storage. The Subcommittee 
intends to focus on bringing abundant water and power supplies 
back to California and other western states so that communities 
have access to reliable and cost effective water and power 
supplies.
    Returning to the ``Beneficiaries Pay'' Principle--Recent 
efforts to integrate wind and solar resources into the 
electricity grid can have impacts on existing water and power 
users who do not benefit from such integration. The 
Subcommittee intends to examine the impacts of integration 
schemes, including those by the Western Area Power 
Administration.
    Maintaining Electricity Transmission/Distribution Service 
on Federal Lands--Energy rights of way on federal lands have a 
direct impact on electricity transmission and distribution 
systems. Vegetative management on these rights-of-way is an 
issue in some areas of the western United States. The 
Subcommittee intends to examine these matters.
    Protecting and Promoting Hydropower as a Clean, Renewable 
Energy Source--Efforts are underway to undermine existing 
hydropower resources. The Subcommittee intends to examine these 
efforts and ways to promote large-scale and small-scale 
hydropower generation.
    Empowering Local Communities--The Subcommittee intends to 
focus on ways to empower local communities through improving 
the Bureau of Reclamation's title transfer process and allowing 
some water users to pre-pay their capital repayment contracts 
to the federal government.

                             FULL COMMITTEE

    The full Committee will conduct oversight on a variety of 
topics in coordination with the Subcommittees, as well as on 
specific jurisdictional items that reside at the full Committee 
level. These full Committee jurisdictional matters include:
    National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)--Recent court 
rulings and administrative regulations relating to NEPA will be 
reviewed and examined, especially as it relates to job creation 
and economic activity.
    Endangered Species Act--For nearly 20 years, the 
authorization of appropriations for this Act has been expired 
and lapsed. This is not responsible to the taxpayers or the 
species that are threatened and endangered under the Act. It 
also disregards the many communities whose economic livelihoods 
are so directly impacted by this law. During this almost two-
decade period, the number of listed species has grown to over 
2,600, while the number of recovered species has been a mere 
20. By any objective standard, a fundamental goal of this law, 
which is to recover and remove the need for species protection 
under the Act, has not been achieved as all Americans would 
hope. The Act and the species it is intended to protect deserve 
an open, transparent discussion of the future and how Congress 
will proceed.
    Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Reauthorization--The Magnuson-Stevens Act is the primary 
statute regulating commercial and recreational fishing in 
Federal waters. The Act was reauthorized in the 109th Congress 
through 2013. A number of provisions from that reauthorization 
will be examined, and a look ahead to the next reauthorization 
will begin.
                              APPENDIX VII

                               H. RES. 72

    As directed by H. Res. 72 (reprinted on next page), which 
was adopted by a vote of the House of 391-to-28 on February 11, 
2011, the Committee on Natural Resources is reviewing 
``existing, pending and proposed regulations, orders, and other 
administrative actions or procedure by agencies of the Federal 
government'' within the Committee's jurisdiction. Following is 
a chart summarizing hearings, both oversight and legislative, 
that were either focused upon, or involved, such review 
efforts, as well as additional actions taken through May 31st 
in response to the Resolution. The Committee's work relating to 
H. Res. 72 actively continues.


                             APPENDIX VIII

                                 Views

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

    During the opening months of the 112th Congress, the 
Natural Resources Committee has focused on creating jobs, 
expanding American-made energy production, and exercising 
greater oversight on the policies and actions of the Executive 
Branch agencies that the Committee oversees.
    This focus on job creation is a stark new direction from 
the past four years of the Speaker Pelosi and Democrat-run 
House. When Democrats held the gavels for the past four years, 
they pursued a new cap-and-trade national energy tax that would 
have driven up energy costs and sent millions of American jobs 
overseas, and they enacted a massive stimulus spending scheme 
that drove our nation deeper in debt and failed to lower 
unemployment as promised.
    Republicans are now leading in the House of 
Representatives, and on the Natural Resources Committee, to 
advance common sense solutions that will create jobs, not 
through higher taxes and higher spending, but by streamlining 
government and unraveling the regulatory red-tape that ties 
down economic growth and suffocates small businesses.
    The Natural Resources Committee has had an active first few 
months keeping watch over the Obama Administration, conducting 
oversight on a variety of topics including the Gulf of Mexico 
offshore drilling permitorium, man-made drought in California, 
the Wild Lands' Secretarial Order, the rewriting of coal mining 
regulations that could cost 7,000 jobs and a host of other 
issues that impact the livelihood of rural Americans--and the 
Committee is just getting warmed up.
    In particular, the Committee's work to expand American 
energy production, create new jobs and shine a spotlight on the 
Obama Administration's anti-energy policies will continue at an 
aggressive pace.
    As gasoline pump prices doubled on President Obama's watch 
and soared to over four dollars per gallon, the Natural 
Resources Committee acted in the first weeks and months of this 
new Congress to advance responsible bills to expand American 
energy production.
    This Committee approved and advanced through the House 
three bipartisan bills aimed at putting workers in the Gulf of 
Mexico back on the job producing American-made energy, safely 
reversing the President's moratorium on new offshore drilling, 
and strengthening our national security by reducing foreign 
imports by one third. These three bills have been estimated to 
create, over time, 1.2 million jobs across our country.
    And while some Minority Members of the Committee may 
disagree with this focus on creating new jobs by harnessing 
America's energy resources and reducing our dependence on 
hostile foreign nations, the record very clearly shows that 
H.R. 1229, H.R. 1230 and H.R. 1231 each were favorably reported 
by this Committee with the support of Republicans and 
Democrats, and each received strong votes of support from 
Republicans and Democrats in the full House.
    These bills are just the beginning of an array of job-
creating bills that the Committee is acting upon in pursuit of 
an all-of-the-above approach to boost American energy 
production. From offshore oil and natural gas, to onshore 
drilling, to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, to 
geothermal energy, to offshore wind, to wind and solar energy 
on federal lands, to hydropower and more, the Committee will 
continue to actively pursue a ``more-American-energy, more-
American-jobs'' agenda.
    In the coming weeks and months, the Committee will also 
continue its work, encouraged and directed by H. Res. 72 that 
was adopted by the full House, to be vigilant and watchful over 
Administration policies and proposed regulations that may 
impact, hinder or block new jobs and new energy creation.

                                   Doc Hastings, Chairman.

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

    The House Natural Resources Committee has little to report 
after six months of Republican leadership. Responsible 
stewardship, fiscal discipline and job creation have been 
rejected in favor of environmental degradation, sweetheart 
deals and job fabrications. As the activity report 
demonstrates, the Majority has pursued unserious legislation 
built on anecdotes and slogans while shirking its 
responsibility to confront the real resource challenges we 
face.
    The Republican energy plan consists entirely of attacks on 
the President and the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
Majority's trio of Outer Continental Shelf drilling bills was a 
dangerous combination of safety short-cuts and industry 
loopholes, rightly rejected by the Senate.
    The Republican renewable energy agenda also involves 
truncating NEPA while ignoring the lasting harm done by the 
Bush Administration's eight year, de facto moratorium on wind 
and solar development on federal land. In the end, the 
Republican energy plan has left high gas prices in place, 
renewable energy in limbo, and the Gulf of Mexico in danger.
    At a time when the Congress should be helping local 
communities combat climate change and develop sustainable water 
supplies, the Water and Power Subcommittee has instead focused 
on preempting state law, undermining sound science and 
weakening existing environmental protections. Rather than 
seeking peace in the water wars, the Majority pits neighbor 
against neighbor in hopes that the resulting turmoil will yield 
political advantage.
    The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular 
Affairs has focused on importing dead polar bears and killing 
Sea Lions to save salmon while ignoring the much more serious 
threats to these and other species posed by human activity. 
Worse, the subcommittee has abdicated its responsibilities 
regarding insular areas, leaving significant national security 
issues unaddressed.
    With regard to management of our National Parks, Forests 
and Public Lands, the Majority has pursued an agenda of 
divestiture, both of natural resources and the federal lands 
themselves. The Majority has pursued land conveyances to 
special interests and short-term, windfall profits for 
developers at the expense of future generations and a fair 
return to taxpayers.
    Despite our solemn obligation to address wrongs previously 
inflicted on the First Americans, the Majority has expended 
enormous effort vilifying the few attorneys willing to take up 
the case of Native People against the federal government, going 
so far as to launch a dubious ``investigation'' into matters 
properly decided in federal court. Meanwhile, House Republicans 
voted to repeal the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act and 
issues like improving employment and educational opportunities 
for Native People receive no attention.
    The Majority's inability to act in meaningful ways is due 
in part to the bizarre procedural knots into which House 
Republicans have tied themselves. Legislation authorizing the 
Congress to conserve a specific National Park or Forest is a 
prohibited ``earmark'' but a bill giving the land to a 
sponsor's constituents for free is not. This nonsensical 
definition, along with a mutation of the Democrat's PAY-GO 
rule, create a screen through which only irresponsible, special 
interest legislation can pass.
    Lastly, despite self-congratulatory floor statements, press 
releases, and talking points, the Majority has not created any 
jobs. To the extent the activity report includes a job plan at 
all, it consists of little more than proposals to give public 
lands to multinational corporations for mining, drilling and 
logging. This approach will create environmental damage and 
massive corporate profits, but few jobs.
    Democrats stand ready to work with our Republican 
colleagues to develop real solutions to the very real problems 
we face. Bipartisan cooperation on renewable energy 
development, balanced resource management, and scientific 
research could result in a future activities report documenting 
real progress toward growing our economy, creating jobs, and 
responsible stewardship of the natural and cultural resources 
that are part of our national heritage.

                                   Edward J. Markey.
                                   Raul Grijalva.
                                   Madeleine Bordallo.
                                   Ben Ray Lujan.
                                   Frank Pallone, Jr.
                                   Niki Tsongas.
                                   Grace F. Napolitano.
                                   Peter DeFazio.
                                   Eni F.H. Faleomavaega.
                                   Rush Holt.
                                   Colleen Hanabusa.
                                   Dale E. Kildee.
                                   Betty Sutton.
                                   John Garamendi.
                                   Gregorio Sablan.
                                   John Sarbanes.