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Congressional Activity

Republican Leadership Split Over Plan to Restructure House Appropriations

On Wednesday, Feb. 2^nd the Senate Republican leadership rejected a House GOP plan to dramatically reorganize the Appropriations Subcommittee structure, however they agreed to work to reach a new compromise Appropriations plan within a one week time frame.  Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) sent word to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), that his Committee “is not on board” with the proposal.

The intention to reduce the number of House Appropriations Subcommittees from 13 to 10 is the desire to make it easier for Republicans to push their priorities into the final budget process, and to prevent another Omnibus Bill as occurred last year.   Republican Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Pete Dominici (R-NM) said that while they were open to continuing discussions on the issue, they could see little reason to support the House Appropriations reorganization.  The Chairman of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Hobson (R-OH), said that despite the Senate’s concerns, “The read I get is … we're going to do it anyway.”

Congressional Hearings

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce met on Wednesday, February 2^nd welcoming new Members and addressing new policies that will be of concern in the 109^th Congress.  There are two new Vice Chairmen, Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MA).  [There seemed to be a bit of a rocky beginning when Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX formerly D-TX) started answering questions that were posed to Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX)].

Comprehensive energy legislation predominated among the policies discussed, and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) was insistent on prolonging the discussion of an energy bill, saying that such an important topic be thoroughly reviewed in order that it be as “perfect” as possible.  However, because the President wants an energy bill put on the fast track in Congress, and the desire of Republican leadership is that it be brought to Congress by the end of February or, at the very latest, at the beginning of March -as well as the many other issues that need to be considered by the Committee- Rep. Waxman’s approach appeared problematic.  Chairman Barton stated and put into effect that there be no amendments offered to the energy bill; that it be the same bill as two years ago with possibly minor changes.  Vice Chairman Pickering agreed, saying “This horse has been beaten as much as it needs to be.”

Chairman Hall stated his chief concern was that America become less dependent on foreign resources as we have been in the past; that he wanted to ensure oil and gas prices were lowered for the taxpayers.  He explained that as we developed alternative resources, the demand for oil would go down and the price would follow.

House Committee on Resources

The House Committee on Resources also met on Wednesday, February 2^nd.  Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) introduced new members and proposed new Committee structure and leadership rules during their first meeting in the 109^th Congress.  There are six new members on the Republican side of the Committee, three new on the Democratic side.  The panel is comprised of 27 Republicans and 15 Democrats (with 7 Minority vacancies to fill).  California shows 7 Representatives of the 49-Member Committee.

Chairman Pombo began the meeting by pulling out a small fish bowl filled with water, sand and a single occupant (a Beta fish) inside.  He presented the gift to Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-TN) who is the Chairman of the Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, saying that his jurisdiction was being narrowed to that of a single fish.  Although offered as a light-hearted moment, Chairman Pombo then proposed new rules for the Committee…

While the proposed rules seemed merely to involve routine ‘housekeeping’ matters: reducing noise levels behind the dais during Hearings, a modification to the ability to call a recess… One was read as the change “of the name of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans to the Subcommittee on Fisheries & Oceans” for the sake “of simplicity”.  When asked repeatedly by several Members on both sides of the Committee if the new rule meant that any oversight of wildlife, or of the twelve listed areas of responsibility, and in particular any Endangered Species Act legislation would no longer be under the jurisdiction of that Subcommittee, Chairman Pombo replied that “The Chairman has always had the authority to do that,” and added “The ESA has been in the hands of the full Committee [for some time].”

When then asked about BLM bills, Chairman Pombo said that, aside from issues on public lands (which would move to the Forestry Subcommittee), the “default position” will be that he will have to see each BLM bill before deciding.  The new rules passed the Resources Committee by voice vote, with some opposed.

Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met on Thursday, February 3^rd to discuss the urgent need for passage of an energy bill.  Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) stated outright that “We owe it to our farmers and to our fellow Americans to pass an energy bill.”  He spoke of America ’s dependence on foreign resources while we have more than four billion barrels in our strategic oil reserve, and that the taxpayers were not getting ‘bang for their buck’, and that something had to be done.

Several topics were batted around: the depletion of Canada ’s resources, China ’s rising energy needs and the Three Gorges Dam project, India ’s growing development needs, the desire to fund research into hybrid car technology.  The consensus seemed to be that a new bi-partisan energy policy for America had go into effect sooner rather than later.

New Reports of Interest 

World Bank: Focus on Sustainability 2004

According to a report released Feb. 3^rd, the World Bank's current lending portfolio includes $3.2 billion for projects that protect the environment and conserve natural resources.  World Bank: Focus on Sustainability 2004 is an overview of the bank's lending activities with an emphasis on projects that have environmental and natural resources components.  More than half of the projects focused on pollution reduction and water resources management.  Other top lending categories include land management, environmental policy and institutions, climate change, and biodiversity.  The report is the first of its kind issued by the bank.  The full report in pdf at:

Focus on Sustainability 2004

The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2006 to 2015

From the Congressional Budget Office, January 2005

http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=6060&sequence=0

EPA Needs to Determine What Barriers Prevent Water Systems from Securing Known Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Vulnerabilities

EPA Office of the Inspector General

Report No. 2005-P-00002

January 6, 2005

http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2005/20050106-2005-P-00002.pdf

Federal Terrorism Reinsurance: An Update

Congressional Budget Office, January 2005  (prepared at the request of the Senate Budget Committee)

“Enacted in response to the events of September 11, 2001, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) created a temporary Federal reinsurance program for terrorism insurance.  The program had two main aims: to limit insurance companies' risks of financial loss from terrorist attacks and to increase the availability of terrorism coverage for property owners.  TRIA is scheduled to expire on December 30, 2005, and the Congress has been considering proposals to extend the terrorism reinsurance program…”  read it online at:  http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=6049&sequence=0

Measuring Research and Development Expenditures in the U.S. Economy

Panel on Research and Development Statistics at the National Science Foundation

National Research Council  212 pages, 2004

“This report examines the portfolio of research and development (R&D) expenditure surveys at the National Science Foundation (NSF), identifying gaps and weaknesses and areas of missing coverage.  The report takes an in-depth look at the definition of R&D, the needs and potential uses of NSF s R&D data by a variety of users, the goals of an integrated system of surveys and other data collection activities, and the quality of the data collected in the existing Science Resources Statistics surveys.”  Read it online free at:  http://www.nap.edu/books/0309093201/html/

Grants Management: EPA Needs to Strengthen Efforts to Provide the Public with Complete and Accurate Information on Grant Opportunities

GAO-05-149R, February 3, 2005

For more information go to:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05149r.pdf

Harbor Invaders Could Trigger 'Meltdown' of Coastal Ecosystems

By Ted Grosholz, Environmental Science and Policy, UC Davis

“A UC Davis ecologist reports on the cautionary tale of a transplant from America's East Coast that moved to California and lived peacefully among the natives for a half century - until a new invader radically altered the community dynamics, pushing out the natives.”  Article:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050121105525.htm

The full report is available from Proceedings of the National Academies

“Biological invasions are rapidly producing planet-wide changes in biodiversity and ecosystem function. In coastal waters of the U.S. , more than 500 invaders have become established, and new introductions continue at an increasing rate…”  This item requires a subscription to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online:  http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/102/4/1088

Renewable Energy for America’s Future

The U. S. Department of Interior

pdf format 26 pages, January, 2005

“Renewable energy currently supplies 9% of our energy supply.  If we exclude hydropower, renewable energy supplies only 2% of the nation’s electricity needs.  Nonetheless, the growth in renewable energy generation over the past decade has been impressive— approximately 30% since 1990.  This trend for non-hydropower renewable energy generation is expected to continue, both at home and abroad…”

http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/renewable_energy.pdf

Key Agency News Releases

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Public Scoping Meetings Scheduled on Preparation of EIS / EIR  for Contra Costa Water District Alternative Intake Project

January 27^th – “The Bureau of Reclamation and the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) have scheduled three public scoping meetings (Feb. 15, 16 & 17) to seek public input on the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report on the CCWD Alternative Intake Project.  Reclamation is the National Environmental Policy Act lead agency and CCWD is the California Environmental Quality Act lead agency.” For more information, go to:

http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=3821

Visit the CCWD Alternative Intake Project website at www.ccwater-alternativeintake.com

U.S. Announces Clean Air Agreement with Largest Domestic Petroleum Refiner

Jan. 27, 2005 - " ‘This agreement represents another major milestone in the effort to reduce pollution from our nation's petroleum refineries,’ said Thomas V. Skinner, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. ‘These settlements, when fully implemented, will reduce emissions of air pollutants by approximately 240,000 tons per year at 57 refineries in 26 states.’”  For more information go to:

http://cfpub.epa.gov/compliance/newsroom/

Delays At Navajo Reservoir Pineriver Boat Ramp

Jan. 28, 2005 - “Reclamation is nearing completion of a nine month repair project to perform required maintenance on the 4x4 auxiliary outlet gates at Navajo Dam, NM.  From February 5 through February 11, Reclamation will continue with its work to deconstruct a 2,500 square-foot barge in Navajo Reservoir that is located adjacent to the boat ramp at the Pineriver Recreation Area.”  For more information go to:

http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=3844

USDA Provides Up to $5M in Conservation Innovation Grants for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Jan. 31, 2005 – “Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that up to $5 million is available in fiscal year 2005 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” For more information, go to:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/01/0032.xml

Bodman Sworn In As 11th Secretary of Energy

Washington, D.C. Feb. 1, 2005 - “Earlier this morning, Dr. Samuel Bodman was sworn in as the 11^th Secretary of the United States Department of Energy.  Secretary Bodman was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on Monday, January 31, 2005, replacing Spencer Abraham who resigned on November 15, 2004.”  For more information go to:

http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?PUBLIC_ID=17340&BT_CODE=PR_PRESSRELEASES&TT_CODE=PRESSRELEASE

Emergency Watershed Protection Program Funding Will Help Washington County , Utah

Washington , Feb. 1, 2005 – “Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced today that $6 million will be available through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) for Washington County , Utah .”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/02/0034.xml

NASA Joins the National Invasive Species Council

Washington , D.C. , February 2, 2005 – “The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has become the 13th Cabinet Agency to join the National Invasive Species Council, or NISC (Dept. of Interior).  NASA's current work on maintaining the biological integrity of Earth and other solar system bodies along with work with remote sensing activities of Earth's biotic and abiotic environment from space will make it an invaluable addition to the council.”

For more information, go to:

http://www.doi.gov/news/05_News_Releases/050201a

Norton Stresses Cooperative, Pro-Western Initiatives for Water, Endangered Species

Denver, CO - Jan. 28, 2005 “Interior Secretary Gale Norton delivered that key message to 300 members of the Colorado Water Congress here today, saying ‘Americans have always looked to the West with hope, and they should do so now in this new term of the Administration.  The President envisions preventing crises by innovative thinking and long-term planning; avoiding long years of litigation by cooperative agreements and replacing costly laws with common-sense legislation.’"

For more information:  http://www.doi.gov/news/05_News_Releases/050128b

Secretary of the Interior Honors Hawaii Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program

Washington, DC – Feb. 2, 2005  “Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today presented one of her ‘Four C's Awards’ to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Islands Conservation Partnership Program during the U.S. Department of the Interior's 62nd Department Honor Awards Convocation in Washington, D.C.   The award recognizes the staff's efforts in working with landowners and conservation organizations to benefit Hawaii 's native ecosystems.”  For more information:

http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=D4AC178B-1143-3066-4078549D1C28AE01

Bush Administration Proposes Increased Funding for FY 2006 to Maintain and Restore Forest and Rangeland Health; Healthy Forest Projects Would Continue to Reduce Wildfire Threat

Washington, D.C. Feb. 3, 2005 – “Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey and Interior Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett today announced that President Bush is including more than $867 million in the fiscal year 2006 budget to continue implementation of his Healthy Forests Initiative.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/02/0036.xml

President Bush Proposes Increase in USGS Landsat 7 Funding for FY 2006

Washington, DC - Feb. 4, 2005 “President Bush's FY 2006 budget calls for increasing the U.S. Geological Survey's Landsat 7 budget by $12 million so that this important earth-imaging satellite program can continue to provide critical information to scientists, emergency relief officials, land managers and planners.” For more information, go to:  http://www.doi.gov/news/05_News_Releases/050204a

Bush Administration Pushes Renewable Energy Development on Public Lands

Feb. 4, 2005 - Washington, D.C. “Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced the availability of a new report that highlights the Bush Administration's efforts to increase interest in the development and use of renewable energy resources found on America's public lands.”

For more information, go to: http://www.doi.gov/news/05_News_Releases/050204b

[see above, New Reports of Interest]

President Bush Highlights Energy in the State of the Union Address

Dept. of Energy, February 3, 2005 - “To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy.  Nearly four years ago, I submitted a comprehensive energy strategy that encourages conservation, alternative sources, a modernized electricity grid, and more production here at home…” For full text of speech, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050202-11.html

President's 2006 Budget Request More Than Doubles Great Lakes Legacy Funding

Washington , D.C. – February 4, 2005  “President Bush is requesting $50 million in the FY 2006 Budget to implement the Great Lakes Legacy Act.  This is an increase of nearly $28 million and more than doubles the level funded by Congress in FY 2005.  ‘Ensuring the health of the Great Lakes is a high priority for this administration, said Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water. ‘The President is requesting this substantial increase in the funding to support the commitment to leave the Great Lakes better than we found them.’”  For more information, go to: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/b4a373899be041b885256f9e0065487f!OpenDocument

Western Newspaper Headlines

[click on headlines to be taken to articles]

Restaurants Hardest Hit by Phoenix Water Problem

Casper Star Tribune – Jan. 26, 2005

Bill Seeks Statewide Tax to Fund Water Adjudication

Independent Record ( Helena , MT ) – Jan. 27. 2005

Hydrogen Future Drives Into the 'Big Apple'
EV World,  Nebraska  - Jan 28, 2005

Expert: West's Water Woes a Threat to Colorado
Glenwood Springs Post Independent, CO - Jan 28, 2005

More Water, Fewer Trees?

Casper Star Tribune – Jan. 28, 2005

Roslyn signs contract for new water rights purchase
Daily Record, WA - Jan 29, 2005

Chapter 1 Solar Electric Systems
Earthship Biotecture ,  NM  - Jan 29, 2005

Ohio River Town Losing Land and Hope
Monterey County Herald, CA - Jan 29, 2005

Hybrids Hang On
Daily Breeze, CA - Jan 30, 2005

Lawmakers tackle wide variety of issues
Aberdeen American News, SD - Jan 30, 2005

Water Scare Boiled Down to a Few Intense Hours, 1 Radical Move

The Arizona Republic   Jan. 31, 2005

Toyota Emphasizes Environmental Innovation in Latest Corporate Ad
PR Newswire (press release) - Jan 31, 2005

Global Warming Looms Over Us All The Time
The Day, CT - Jan 31, 2005

Hydrogen fuel-cell fans seek converts
Fuel Cell Works - Jan 31, 2005

International Science Team Measures Arctic Atmosphere
All American Patriots (press release),  Sweden  - Feb 1, 2005

Wildlife climate threat 'looming'
BBC News ,  UK  - Feb 1, 2005

Scientists Develop New Filter Technology To Remove Arsenic From Drinking Water
Pollution Online (press release), PA - Feb 1, 2005

ESF's Biorefinery Process: Turning Wood into Energy of the Future
Newswise (press release) - Feb 1, 2005

World Wetlands Day Today
Times of Oman ,  Oman  - Feb 1, 2005

American Water Works Assn. to Preview Online Research Service at Access Innovations’ Data Harmony Users Group Conference
Capitol Reports (press release), CA - Feb 2, 2005

American Water Works Association to Announce Results of Perchlorate Study in Feb. 9 Webcast
U.S. Newswire (press release), DC – Feb 3, 2005

MSU requested to create plan to halt river pollution
The State News, MI - Feb. 3, 2005

Oregon may lead future of wave energy
innovations report,  Germany  - Feb. 3, 2005

Potter will fight EPA water rule
OregonLive.com, OR - Feb. 3, 2005

Bills Introduced in the Senate

S. 208  LEVIN

A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Great Lakes National Program Office of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop, implement, monitor, and report on a series of indicators of water quality and related environmental factors in the Great Lakes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 212  DOMENICI

A bill to amend the Valles Caldera Preservation Act to improve the preservation of the Valles Caldera, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S. 213  BINGAMAN

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal land to Rio Arriba County , New Mexico ; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 214  BINGAMAN

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 218  KOHL

A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide incentives to landowners to protect and improve streams and riparian habitat; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

S. 229  BINGAMAN

A bill to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 231  SMITH

A bill to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 232  SMITH

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of fish passage and screening facilities at non-Federal water projects, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 243  THOMAS

A bill to establish a program and criteria for National Heritage Areas in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 244  THOMAS

A bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Wyoming ; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 245  COLLINS

A bill to provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated United States research program that assists the people of the United States and the world to understand, assess, and predict human-induced and natural processes of abrupt climate change; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  [$60 million over the next six years]

S. 247  SMITH

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 251  SMITH

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a water resource feasibility study for the Little Butte/Bear Creek Sub-basins in Oregon ; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 252  REID

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land in Washoe County, Nevada, to the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 254  REID

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as cemeteries; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 255  HAGEL

A bill to amend the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to provide assistance for residential properties designated as Superfund sites; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S. 260  INHOFE

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners to restore, enhance, and manage private land to improve fish and wildlife habitats through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 261  LIEBERMAN

A bill to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 264  AKAKA

A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize certain projects in the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 287  ENSIGN

A bill to require the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to use dynamic economic modeling in the preparation of budgetary estimates of proposed changes in Federal revenue law; to the Committee on the Budget.

S. 280  HUTCHISON

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the amortization of delay rental payments and geological and geophysical expenditures; to the Committee on Finance.

Bills Introduced in the House

H.R. 433  TERRY

A bill to amend the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to provide assistance for residential properties designated as Superfund sites; to the Committee on Financial Services.

H.R. 434  TERRY

A bill to provide additional funding for cleanup activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for facilities on the National Priority List, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 453  CLAY

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for property owners who remove lead-based paint hazards; to the Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R. 454  COLE

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that the credit for producing fuel from a non-conventional source shall apply to gas produced onshore from a formation more than 15,000 feet deep; to the Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R. 469  KOLBE

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 482  NEUGEBAUER

A bill to provide for a land exchange involving Federal lands in the Lincoln National Forest in the State of New Mexico , and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 485  PEARCE

A bill to provide that the royalty rate on the output from Federal lands of potassium and potassium compounds from the mineral sylvite in the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be reduced to 1.0 percent, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 486  PEARCE

A bill to provide for a land exchange involving private land and Bureau of Land Management land in the vicinity of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico , for the purpose of removing private land from the required safety zone surrounding munitions storage bunkers at Holloman Air Force Base; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 487  PEARCE

A bill to impose limitations on the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to claim title or other rights to water absent specific direction of law or to abrogate, injure, or otherwise impair any right to the use of any quantity of water; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 489  PEARCE

A bill to provide for an assessment of the extent of the invasion of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive on lands in the Western United States and efforts to date to control such invasion on public and private lands, including tribal lands, to establish a demonstration program to address the invasion

of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 494  ROHRABACHER

A bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to expand the authority of non-Federal interests to levy harbor fees; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

H.R. 497  LORETTA SANCHEZ

A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to increase the ceiling on the Federal share of the costs of phase I of the Orange County, California, Regional Water Reclamation Project; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 512  POMBO

A bill to require the prompt review by the Secretary of the Interior of the longstanding petitions for Federal recognition of certain Indian tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 518  KIND

A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to refine the Department of the Interior program for providing assistance for the conservation of neo-tropical migratory birds; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 524  BERKLEY

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the conservation of water; to the Committee on Ways and Means

H.R. 526  BERKLEY

A bill to redirect the Nuclear Waste Fund established under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 into research, development, and utilization of risk-decreasing technologies for the onsite storage and eventual reduction of radiation levels of nuclear waste, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 537  DEAL

A bill to ensure the continuation of successful fisheries mitigation programs; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 540  GIBBONS

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 541  GIBBONS

A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land to Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as cemeteries; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 542  GIBBONS

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land in Washoe County, Nevada, to the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 567  MARKEY [and 112 Co-sponsors]

A bill to preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wilderness in recognition of its extraordinary natural ecosystems and for the permanent good of present and future generations of Americans; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 584  POMBO

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to recruit volunteers to assist with, or facilitate, the activities of various agencies and offices of the Department of the Interior; to the Committee on Resources.

H.R. 585  RADANOVICH

A bill to require Federal land managers to support, and to communicate, coordinate, and cooperate with, designated gateway communities, to improve the ability of gateway communities to participate in Federal land management planning conducted by the Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior, and to respond to the impacts of the public use of the Federal lands administered by these agencies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 586  RADANOVICH

A bill to preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 599  UDALL of Colorado

A bill to provide a source of funds to carry out restoration activities on Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period

to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Federal Register Notices

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Reclamation.   Notice of Intent to Revise the White Sands, NM Resource Management Plan, and Notice of Intent to Amend the Mimbres, NM Resource Management Plan, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings.  The revision and amendment and associated environmental analysis will update planning level decisions for public lands in Sierra, Otero, and Dona Ana Counties , which are managed by the Las Cruces Field Office (LCFO), New Mexico .  The proposed RMP revision and amendment are intended to address issues that have developed since the previous RMPs were prepared in 1986 and 1994 respectively.   Comments about the proposal must be submitted on or before 60 calendar days from the date the EPA publishes its NOI in the Federal Register.  Public meetings will be held in Truth or Consequences, Alamogordo , and Las Cruces , New Mexico .  All public meetings will be announced through the New Mexico BLM Web site http://www.nm.blm.gov  FR  1/28/05  p.4146

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Reclamation.  Meeting of the Yakima River Basin Conservation Advisory Group, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, Yakima , WA on February 23, 2005 at the Bureau of Reclamation Office in Yakima .  The purpose of the Conservation Advisory Group is to provide technical advice and counsel to the Secretary of the Interior and Washington State on the structure, implementation, and oversight of the Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program.

FR  1/31/05  p.4884

EPA.  Application of Pesticides to Waters of the United States in Compliance With FIFRA.  Proposed rulemaking and notice of interpretive statement.  On August 13, 2003, the EPA published a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on an Interim Statement and Guidance to address issues pertaining to coverage under the Clean Water Act (CWA) of pesticides regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) that are applied to or over waters of the United States .  The interpretation addressed two sets of circumstances for which EPA has determined that the application of a pesticide to waters of the United States consistent with all relevant requirements of FIFRA does not constitute the discharge of a pollutant that requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the CWA.  EPA is announcing today the interpretive statement developed after consideration of public comments.  In this notice, EPA is also proposing to revise the NPDES permit program regulations to incorporate the substance of the interpretive statement. Comments on this action must be received or postmarked on or before midnight April 4, 2005.  FR  2/01/05  p.5093

EPA.  Good Neighbor Environmental Board Meeting.  Notice of meeting.  The next meeting of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, a Federal advisory committee that reports to the President and Congress on environmental and infrastructure projects along the U.S. border with Mexico , will take place in Eagle Pass , Texas , on February 16th and 17th, 2005.  It is open to the public.  FR  2/01/05  p.5180

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Fish and Wildlife Service and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Governments Sign Annual Funding Agreement.  Notice.  On December 15, 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an annual funding agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Governments under the Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994.  The Agreement was re-negotiated and slightly re-worded following the public comment period.  You may obtain the final agreement and supporting documentation at:  http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/cskt-fws-negotiation   FR  2/01/05  p.5205

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Notice of Proposed Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns, or has an interest in, irrigation facilities located on various Indian reservations throughout the United States .  We are required to establish rates to recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate those facilities.  We request your comments on the proposed rate adjustments.  Interested parties may submit comments on the proposed rate adjustments on or before April 4, 2005, in writing and addressed to:  Arch Wells, Director, Office of Trust Services, Attn: Irrigation and Power, MS-4655-MIB, Code 210, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, Telephone (202) 208-5480.  FR  2/01/05  p.5210

AGRICULTURE.  Rural Utilities Service.  Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities.  Direct final rule.  The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is 

adopting regulations implementing its financial assistance programs for rural communities with extremely high energy costs.  These programs are 

authorized under section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended.  This direct final rule is intended to establish and clarify eligibility and 

application requirements, the review and approval process, and grant administration procedures for RUS grants to rural communities with extremely high 

energy costs and for grants to State entities for bulk fuel revolving loan funds.  This rule will become effective on March 21, 2005, unless RUS receives 

written adverse comments or a written notice of intent to submit adverse comments on or before March 4, 2005.  Written comments must be received 

by RUS or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than March 4, 2005.  FR  2/02/05  p.5349

EPA.  Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Facility Ground-Water Monitoring 

Requirements (Renewal).  Notice.  This is a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection.  This Information Collection Request is 

scheduled to expire on January 31, 2005.  Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while 

this submission is pending at OMB. This ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.  Additional comments 

may be submitted on or before March 7, 2005.  

FR  2/03/05  p.5641

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Ptilagrostis porteri (Porter feathergrass) as Threatened or Endangered.  Notice of 90-day petition finding.  We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 90-day finding for a petition to list Porter feathergrass as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.  We find that the petition and additional information in Service files do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing this species may be warranted.  We will not be initiating a further status review in response to this petition.  FR 2/04/05  p.5959

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Joint Water Agency Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP): Subregional Plan and Subarea Plans, San Diego , CA .  Notice of intent.  Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare, in coordination with the Joint Water Agency (consisting of Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and the Sweetwater Authority) a joint Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for a Natural Communities Conservation Program Subregional Plan and three Subarea Plans.  Public scoping meetings will be held on: February 8 and 9,

2005.  Written comments should be received on or before March 7, 2005.  FR 2/04/05  p.6033

HOMELAND SECURITY.  Science and Technology Directorate.  Construction and Operation of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) Facility by the Department of Homeland Security at Fort Detrick, Maryland : Record of Decision.  Notice.  The Department of Homeland Security will implement the Preferred Alternative in the FEIS.  This action involves the construction and operation of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center Facility by DHS on a site adjacent to existing U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases facilities at Fort Detrick , Maryland .  FR 2/04/05  p.6026

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management, Miles City Field Office.  Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan Revision and Environmental Impact Statement for Eastern Montana, initiate public scoping and request comments on Planning Criteria.  The Bureau of Land Management will revise two Resource Management Plans by combining the Powder River and Big Dry RMPs (to be called the ``Miles City Field Office RMP'') and preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the effects of land and mineral management options.  The RMP and EIS are scheduled for completion by December 2007.  Written and electronic comments on the scope of the RMP, preliminary issues, and planning criteria may be submitted for 30 days from the date of this notice.  Public scoping meetings will be held, check the BLM public outreach Web site:   http://www.mt.blm.gov/mcfo/   FR 2/04/05  p.6034

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product Prospectuses.  Notice of availability and request for public comments.  NOAA publishes this notice to announce the availability of draft Prospectuses for three of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Synthesis and Assessment Products (Products) for public comment.  Comments must be received by March 7, 2005.  FR 2/04/05  p.5969

Product 2.1 (emissions scenarios):

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap2-1/sap2-1prospectus-draft.htm

Product 2.2 (North American carbon budget):

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap2-2/sap2-2prospectus-draft.htm

Product 3.1 (climate models):

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-1/sap3-1prospectus-draft.htm.

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Reclamation.  Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), Notice of Meeting.  Notice of public meeting.  The purpose of the meeting will be to review the Fiscal Year 2004 budget expenditures, the FY06 Draft Budget and Work Plan, updates on plans currently in development, and other monitoring and research reports. Other topics of discussion will include status of the Colorado River Basin Fund, Programmatic Agreement membership, basin hydrology, the Humpback Chub Comprehensive Plan, public outreach, environmental compliance progress on proposed actions, as well as other administrative and resource issues pertaining to the AMP.  The AMWG will conduct the following public meeting:  Phoenix , Arizona - March 2-3, 2005, at the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

FR 2/04/05  p.6035