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Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Small, Jeff [Jeff.Small@mail.house.gov] 7/16/2018 1:24:06 AM Small, Jeff [Jeff.Small@mail.house.gov] Hanson, Tanner [Tanner.Hanson@mail.house.gov] Western Caucus Reboot 07.15.18 Week of 07.15.2018 #ModernizeESA caucus introduce Bipartisan Package Ot Bills To jsi \' "Skfli - iiUM, ,rivv*'Jki i U! -Vi'trd a t t vl l' b' u if ii,' f i C-; w -*' t bt l Is4 a T;1r.iV< On Thursday, the Western Caucus unveiled a bipartisan package aimed at modernizing the Endangered Species Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00001 Act (ESA) at a legislative forum and press conference. This impressive slate of nine bills has received endorsements from more than 115 organizations. For bill text, descriptions of individual bills and provisions, videos, pictures, full endorsements list and much more, click FIBRE to see the dedicated Western Caucus ESA Modernization Package launch page. Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) said, "15 Members of Congress, 12 panelists, nine bills, and a combined thousands of hours of experience dealing with the Endangered Species Act at all levels. That's what we put on display today when we introduced our bipartisan ESA modernization package and held a packed Legislative Forum and press conference. We showed everyone that Congress can come together to scope out a problem, listen and learn from affected parties, set out clear principles, devise bipartisan proposals and introduce them in a show of unity. Just one of those is usually enough to derail a Congressional effort, so I am very proud of this group of Members for coming together and unveiling a package of smart, targeted, thoughtful modernization provisions to the Endangered Species Act of 1973." House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) stated, "We're all aware that the Endangered Species Act hasn't undergone any significant updates in over 40 years. Neither endangered species, nor the American people, are benefited by this lack of modernization. It's past time for reform. The law needs to be updated to ensure it maintains its original intent and focus of species recovery and not simply serve as a tool for endless litigation. The Committee has worked for many years to put the ESA back on the right track. Now is the time to modernize this antiquated law to simultaneously benefit both endangered species and the American people." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00002 ,, m. Western t&uzm . : The- prabters 1: is tbi abuse of tiw Act rather than wtusi the .Act s imttutktJ to be BA is a vita! eomptmint of our oatiurf$ nstrvatktn fern, Bui !t"s. an ilracb !tw in a Spisiy wtttid" Tw HmmE mPEISsSSTmIWTMImONm ACTm Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) said, "It is long past time that we reform the Endangered Species Act. In the more than 40 years since its introduction and passage, much has changed in our nation and its environment, but the law has not kept up with the evolving realities of the 21st Century. The PETITION Act would give the Interior Secretary the tools necessary to prevent frivolous lawsuits from stopping the work of the Fish and Wildlife Service, while ensuring more resources are available to protect truly endangered species. I thank my colleagues from the Congressional Western Caucus for their leadership on this issue and I look forward to our collective efforts to modernize an important piece of American law." Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) stated, "I thank Chairman Gosar and Chairman Bishop for their leadership on the Endangered Species Act modernization package. This action is long overdue, and will help millions of Americans around the country by protecting local interests - not special interests. As a part of this package, I introduced the LIST Act, which makes a number of improvements to bring the ESA up-to-date. Most notably, the LIST Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to de-list species when he receives an objective, measurable, and scientific study demonstrating a species has recovered. This will allow us to focus resources to protect species that actually need it. I support all of the bills introduced today, and I look forward to their movement through Congress." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00003 Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02) stated, "This bill would simply require the federal government to consult with states before making a listing decision under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Recent listings under the ESA have lacked adequate consultation and communication with the states who have these animals. Lack of communication is a lost opportunity for the Fish and Wildlife Service to utilize state expertise and information on species under review. Decisions to list species under the ESA often have serious adverse economic consequences, which is why the federal government should review all relevant information before making a decision. The EMPOWERS Act will help prevent rushed decisions that hurt local economies. Improvements must be made to the substance of listing decisions, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this commonsense bill forward." Congressman Don Young (AK-At Large) said, "The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been weaponized and misused by environmental groups for too long. I am pleased to be part of the Western Caucus' efforts to reign in the ESA, and to sponsor the Localizing Authority of Management Plans (LAMP) Act. This legislation, along with other bills introduced today by my colleagues, will work to truly modernize the ESA and return the focus of the law to its original intent of species conservation and recovery." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00004 Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04) said, "The ESA has been exploited for decades placing unnecessary burdens on our nation's hard-working farmers and ranchers. And while protecting wildlife and their habitats is of the utmost importance, the agriculture community is already proactively and heavily involved in conservation programs that implement critical protections for both. My bill helps modernize the ESA so we can continue to protect endangered species and let our farmers and ranchers get back to what they do best providing a safe, sustainable food source for the American people." Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05) said, "I am happy to join my colleagues of the Western Caucus in support of the Endangered Species Act Modernization Package of Legislation, which makes necessary and common-sense updates to the Endangered Species Act. These bills continue to ensure protects for endangered species and successful species conservation, while increasing transparency, bringing accountability to the decision making process, and including States and local governments in the efforts to protect species. Importantly I am proud to have introduced the PREDICTS Act, which codifies the 'No Surprises' regulation and provides for greater certainty and improved planning for incidental take permit holders and landowners entering into agreements to improve the status and recovery of at-risk and listed species." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00005 C o ngressio nal W e ste rn Csncus H'y :!>l;& IIV' fl t:ft^ JlltV 12 at " W s : : - - - - - .- - W' e w m e mmiencM r: u wier that improve the lyticiloriaiity of the ESA and take huge nr-nos ^ \eip nq ottr 1-40,000 members, Only 3% of species haee recovmed undos te w Congress must make these reforms a priority for house a ar eu w w Panelists that participated in the legislative forum included: Panel 1 Ryan Yates, American Farm Bureau Federation Jordan Smith, National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition Kathleen Sgamma, Western Energy Alliance Sam McDonald, Independent Petroleum Association of America Janelle Lernen, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Myron Ebell, Competitive Enterprise Institute Panel 2 Richard Ranger, American Petroleum Institute Courtney Briggs, National Association of Home Builders Stefanie Smallhouse, Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Rick Manning, Americans for Limited Government Ian Lyle, National Water Resources Association Ron McMurray, American Exploration & Mining Association Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00006 25 Years of Greatness! Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00007 *'!' Iff" V' " IM' h i *'- ' i : t: <0 .'* - V r :'i-:*ri- . h ' 1'" Ccy1:Cp1;:SSif;:l W'&tt OUPUSi SttlfV Iw Siti: S SCsffi: ts < >0L . .kia J !' Ji. : ' - 'j On Wednesday, the Western Caucus celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Attendees at this event included Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, previous Chairmen and Executive Directors, numerous Caucus Members and staff, and tons of Western Caucus supporters. The reception, hosted by the Western Caucus Foundation, was a huge success. Regulations Negatively Impacting Grazing Under Microscope Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00008 s ' V ii::: &...3 ....t Hafcyml Rdsoyrc; A Grsing or; public Arrets p?wtd$ important conomie bansfiA to md:'-:.: la*' mmqmmm agendas. and Itirural communities tliay serve, Lntc-tur 3te':<^ amrtgutatory poltctti driniaantp restrict accai'S to pytriilands. On Thursday, July 12, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an important oversight hearing examining regulatory policies for grazing on federal lands. Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse testified, "Drought, wildfire, fluctuating prices and lawsuits have made livestock ranching a much more challenging endeavor in recent years. Fourth and fifth generation ranchers face the loss of their lands." To watch the hearing, read the full witness testimonies and for more information click HERE. House Passes Lamborn's Critical Water Infrastructure Bill Rp, Qomj tambory Our comr jHst, tarmer:-:. and atfricutiur flourish whan access: Id dao wattr Is <-:3':.v 3'.3 MOi'CAb* Stop* Oddf ImmhQrn "hf do -i o dgi3i3t?n td support and strtamiln eritrea! water Nr sdrcur b* a ni ot 233-114. This Act maintains .congressional sm-mlag1, Sw S gmmbng oeat water districts the fk d b iip fylitf Sis needs or W ' ...W -rsK -fiS f -:., W a t t ! < . O i T , / R 3 p D l n W O f f /<:!. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00009 On Thursday, the House passed H R. 3281, the Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act, sponsored by Western Caucus Member Doug Lamborn (CO05). "I am pleased to have introduced and help pass the Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act. This Act will streamline the administrative process and remove cumbersome, bureaucratic hurdles for the Interior Department. Federal water projects have been a critical asset to many Colorado farmers for generations. The Bureau of Reclamation has played an essential role in constructing many of these facilities. However, over the years, populations in the west have continued to grow while the infrastructure aged. Many facilities are in disrepair and require new investment. Uncertain federal funding and burdensome regulation cripple development of critical water resources. This Act maintains congressional oversight while granting local water districts the flexibility to fulfill the needs of their communities. H R. 3281 allows districts to leverage local investment and encourages local control. I support this Act to ensure Colorado's agriculture will continue to prosper and our communities to grow and flourish," said Congressman Lamborn. House Passes the Dean's Magnuson-Stevens Legislation k - Uk -"war a dec-.ide sineCongress has re^rhc-^;: : 'oc psssad K'* hr wi'-vh wii! . da? ijthau f or's3?Kj C0`'-rrs m4 I'fcxib ;t m tehiriis whsik d crydll tor this industry sod to A Cv On Wednesday, the House passed H R. 200, the bipartisan Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, sponsored by Western Caucus Vice-Chairman and the Dean of the House, Rep. Don Young (AK-At Large). "The North Pacific is the gold standard of fisheries management, and in Alaska the fishing industry Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00010 is crucial to our local economies and livelihood," said Congressman Young. "It's been over a decade since Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) was reauthorized which is why I'm proud to see this bill pass out of the House today with bipartisan support. My bill will update MSA to ensure a proper balance between the biological needs of fish stocks and the economic needs of fishermen and coastal communities. We know that each region works within their unique conditions which is why I fought to ensure the management process will be improved by allowing regional fisheries to develop plans that meet their local needs. I am proud to say my bill protects our commercial and recreational fishing interests, and will allow Councils to do their jobs in a more streamlined and effective manner. I thank my colleagues who helped pass this important fisheries legislation today which will deliver much needed relief to this industry. I look forward to working with my Senators to see this legislation get to the President's desk," Rep. Young said. m tf C o n ar ss n Bruc W ostsrm in % 'C m? cndciit;;rn r 1 %ot \s*-- P t ; . ha - "sc Vi s. Y-'l cfd hr y3 A f 7# r8 I WHS trs n '-/h-'h Mir. nr; hrp Ispin : rs- ,-s .fpn -ya:. ri sq -n Aerrsyritvy -rhr.sl - nq nn'- mn ir. dA' hr.ttorv, . 0 * t" n 'tnityj has -Inn^ "~ct 3 r : a f sn-. f ri-vf-ed *L3dlAS 33C! gifffd!t!3f1 fiB d3P8 3d 8l IdPtrassk law in 3 Spdtf wodcl, it is tiff 8 , '8 C3t !'v:i:t E S A Up tQ SpAdt! Add have it accomplish ths purposes it :f !8f ;Je:: fO '!! Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00011 WEBSITE Click Here to view this email in your browser Click Here to be removed from this list Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061E 00003773-00012