Legislative Watch - D.C. HeatsUp As the temperatures heat up in D.C., so do the politics. Over the summer and into autumn, three major pieces of legislation include content of interest to North Coast conservationists: the Transportation Bill (already passed,) the Agriculture or “Farm Bill,” and the big one— Appropriations. There is sure to be a showdown over the latter.
Compromises
The final Transportation Bill was passed just hours before the current bill would expire. Although the focus was highways and transportation, the bill is of interest to conservationists both for what it included and what it did not include. Removed from the draft versions:
• Authorization of the Keystone Pipeline bypassing current studies requested by the President before a final decision. • The “Sportsman’s Heritage Act”, relating to motorized access in wilderness and hunting on public lands. (It was deemed unrelated to highways and roads—amazing!) Unfortunately included in the bill:
• Changes and cuts in funding for nonmotorized transportation. As the America Bikes Coalition reports, the bill cuts available biking and walking funds by 60 to 70 percent. • Eliminates dedicated Safe Routes to School funding. • Weakens local control. This last item in particular may worry North Coast conservationists. The bill, driven by the House, gives states the ability to opt-out of much of the funds potentially available for local biking and walking projects. Whereas the bi-partisan Senate bill allowed local governments and planning entities to compete for 1% of transportation funds, the new House bill allows states to opt-out of the local grant program completely. This means Sacramento would decide how Californians will use transportation funds and how much would go for non-motorized programs.
RescindingWild & Scenic
Two rivers protected by Wild & Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act designation have been targeted for action that may diminish their protection. The actions could set a bad precedent and indicate trouble for our local rivers—and wild rivers everywhere—in the future. First, in March, construction of a new bridge over the St. Croix River (between Minn. and Wisconsin ) was authorized, in spite of the fact that the project was found to be in non-compliance with the WSR Act. Then, in June, the U.S. House passed HR 869, authored by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-CA, to allow raising spillways at the New Exchequer Dam on the Merced River below Yosemite National Park. The project would back water up into a half-mile section of the river designated as Wild & Scenic, degrading historic sites and negatively impacting endangered species. Central Valley politicians are, once again, using the false choice of “jobs vs. environmental protection” saying the increase in water storage is needed for farmers. Congressman Denham said: “We should be able to adjust these boundaries, especially if it improves the greater good…”, a subjective criteria not based upon science or consideration of future generations. “Never before has Congress reversed course and eliminated federal protection to allow this kind of harm to a previously protected river,” Friends of the River and other conservation groups wrote recently, adding that “our wild and scenic rivers are as important as our national parks and equally deserving of truly permanent protection.” This bill also exempts immigrant control projects (border fences) along Mexico and Canada from some 39 different environmental laws including the Endangered Species Act, sparking concern by many environmental organizations. It may seem a local issue, but it sets a national precedent—the first time Congress would lift protections of a section of a designated Wild & Scenic River. Senators Feinstein (D-CA)and Boxer (D-CA) have not endorsed the bill language, but neither have publicly opposed it. Feinstein may ultimately play a role in deciding the fate of this river, as the bill also includes renewal of a Northern California timber harvest plan she initially co-authored.
The Good News
The Van Duzen River and will be better protected as a result of a court decision challenging an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) including areas of National Forest in California which could be impacted by new energy corridors. A small portion goes along the Van Duzen River from Six Rivers National Forest in Trinity County to eastern Humboldt County. The Wilderness Society won a lawsuit against the federal government, including Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service and Department of Energy, related to construction of energy transmission corridors (“West-wide Energy Corridors”) across western states. These corridors could create mile-wide swaths through forests and along rivers to construct oil, natural gas and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission facilities. The EIS did include alternatives to address some environmental concerns. Nada Culver, with the Wilderness Society, said in a statement that the settlement “puts federal agencies and potential developers on notice that certain corridors are no-go areas for environmental reasons.” When Congress returns from their annual August recess and as time runs out to pass legislation, we will be watching for bills with amendments and riders that either favor or hurt conservation -amendments that are passed out of desperation rather than careful consideration. Here in DC, we are hearing the term Christmas Tree to describe these rambling bills with unrelated riders. Dan Sealy is the NEC’s Legislative Analyst— our eyes and ears in Washington, D.C.
Robert Berg, D.D.S.
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EcoNews
Aug/Sept 2012
www.yournec.org
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