United States House Committee On Natural Resources
Recent News About United States House Committee On Natural Resources
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Red-cockaded woodpecker downlisted; Westerman calls for continued conservation action
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced the downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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House committee investigates NY officials over migrant camp lease renewal
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar have addressed a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This letter is part of an ongoing investigation into the migrant encampment at Floyd Bennett Field, located on national park property.
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House Committee seeks answers over Minnesota mineral lease cancellations
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, along with Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar, have taken further steps in their investigation into the cancellation of mineral leases in Minnesota's Superior National Forest. They addressed a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, expressing concerns over the decision to withdraw 225,504 acres from mineral exploration.
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House committee addresses Oregon's longstanding water challenges
The House Committee on Natural Resources convened a field hearing in Redmond, Oregon, to discuss solutions for the state's water issues. The meeting aimed to address the challenges posed by drought and federal regulations affecting water allocation.
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Subcommittee reviews Puerto Rico's ongoing energy crisis amid absent federal officials
The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs conducted an oversight hearing today to address Puerto Rico's ongoing challenges with its electric grid and access to reliable, affordable energy. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) expressed her disappointment over the absence of Biden-Harris administration officials at the hearing.
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House passes bipartisan act aimed at improving forest management
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 8790, known as the Fix Our Forests Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), aims to promote active forest management in the United States and protect rural communities located in the wildland-urban interface.
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House passes bills supporting energy production and environmental conservation
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed 13 bills from the House Committee on Natural Resources, focusing on areas such as geothermal energy production, coastal resiliency efforts, and forest management in the Tahoe Basin. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) commented on the legislative activity:
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Legislation introduced for securing federal borderlands from illegal immigration
Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) introduced the Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland (FLASH) Act to secure federal border lands and protect public lands from the effects of illegal immigration.
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Committee advances slate of legislation including blocking NOAA speed rule
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported 16 bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman issued the following statement in response:
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House committees seek further documentation regarding Haskell University misconduct
This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) led a follow-up letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland requesting additional information about reports of widespread misconduct and abuse at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU). In part, the members wrote:
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Federal Lands Subcommittee reviews bills on parks access and environmental restoration
Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on eight bills addressing various priorities, including park access for Gold Star next-of-kin family members, restoration activities around Lake Tahoe, and support for hydroelectric projects. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement:
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Westerman criticizes NPS decision to extend migrant camp lease at Floyd Bennett Field
The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the renewal of the lease for Floyd Bennett Field, where the Biden-Harris administration established a migrant encampment last year citing a state of emergency. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) responded critically to this decision.
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House committee demands answers over Floyd Bennett Field migrant encampment
Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a letter to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and senior White House officials, requesting information about the White House’s involvement in establishing a migrant encampment on National Park Service (NPS) land at Floyd Bennett Field. In part, the members wrote:
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House Committee reviews bills aimed at modernizing NEPA
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee legislative hearing on three bills related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:
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Hearing examines USFWS's controversial foreign operation investigating macaque exports
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations convened today to examine the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) investigation into the exportation of wild-caught macaques to the United States. Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) commented on the matter, stating:
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Subcommittee examines delays in implementing COFA amendments act
Today, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) Amendments Act of 2024. Presiding Subcommittee Chair Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) issued the following statement in response:
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House leaders introduce amendments act aimed at modernizing endangered species protections
Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) introduced the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2024.
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Committee reviews bills supporting wildlife conservation
Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on five bills that support wildlife conservation, provide local control to certain federal recreational concession areas, and promote coastal restoration. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) issued the following statement in response:
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House Committee addresses California's Central Valley water management issues
The House Committee on Natural Resources convened a field hearing in Santa Nella, California, to address water management challenges in the state's Central Valley. The hearing aimed to gather insights from local witnesses about the issues affecting this critical agricultural region.
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Committee demands action plan as Floyd Bennett Field lease nears expiration
Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland, and National Park Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams, following up on the committee's request for the lease termination and a permanent demobilization plan for the migrant encampment at Floyd Bennett Field. In part, the members wrote: