Results for

  • Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

    S #2828 | Last Action: 11/7/2019
    Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act This bill addresses various public land concerns in Malheur County in Oregon. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for certain federal land in the county. Interior shall develop plans for areas that are ecologically degraded or most at risk of being ecologically degraded. Interior shall establish the Malheur Community Empowerment for Owyhee Group, which shall, among other things, use such statement to review projects proposed to the Bureau of Land Management by group members, ranchers holding grazing permits on the federal land, or other members of the public. The bill also * establishes a network to monitor such land, * designates 1,133,481 acres of federal lands in the county as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, * designates a 14.7-mile segment of Owyhee River as a recreational river, * establishes improvements for certain loop roads, * requires separate feasibility studies concerning Owyhee Reservoir, * requires improvements to existing Oregon State Parks and private camps on the shore of the Reservoir, * establishes a dude ranch at Birch Creek, * requires a feasibility study on a specified rails-to-trails project, * requires a feasibility study on marketing communities or portions of the county as the Gateway to the Oregon Owyhee, * requires a determination of the use and conditions under which the Jordan Valley Airstrip may be used to support firefighting, and * establishes the Native Seed Center as the primary federal native seed repository in the Western States.
  • Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act

    S #757 | Last Action: 3/12/2019
    Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report on petroleum coke usage, including public-health and environmental impacts, best practices for storage and transport, and an analysis of current and projected production and utilization locations. The Environmental Protection Agency must issue rules for petroleum coke storage and transportation that protect public and ecological health, based on the HHS study.
  • Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act

    HR #1675 | Last Action: 3/11/2019
    Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report on petroleum coke usage, including public-health and environmental impacts, best practices for storage and transport, and an analysis of current and projected production and utilization locations. The Environmental Protection Agency must issue rules for petroleum coke storage and transportation that protect public and ecological health, based on the HHS study.
  • Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act of 2019

    HR #2419 | Last Action: 4/30/2019
    Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act of 2019 This bill directs the U.S. government to sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or a similar international agreement that calls for the elimination of all nuclear weapons in every country. The government shall (1) redirect resources currently used in nuclear weapons programs toward building an ecologically beneficial peace economy and addressing human and infrastructure needs, and (2) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to take similar action.
  • Expressing support for honoring Earth Day, and for other purposes.

    HRES #330 | Last Action: 4/29/2019
    This resolution urges (1) the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day, consistent with the practice of the previous administration; and (2) governments and people to continue building upon the Paris Agreement and other efforts to ensure that future generations inherit a livable, sustainable, and ecologically rich planet. In addition, it encourages the American people to mark Earth Day by working to address environmental challenges, educate others about the need for year-round action, and honor the stewardship ethic for which Senator Gaylord Nelson stood.
  • Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act

    HR #729 | Last Action: 12/10/2019
    Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award grants to Indian tribes to further achievement of any of the following tribal coastal zone objectives: * protecting, restoring, or preserving areas in the zone that hold important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for the tribes, or traditional, historic, and esthetic values essential to the tribes; * preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas; and * implementing any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation.
  • Expressing support for honoring the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and for other purposes.

    HRES #932 | Last Action: 4/21/2020
    This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and addresses environmental challenges. It urges (1) the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the anniversary; and (2) governments and people to continue building upon the Paris Agreement and other efforts to ensure that future generations inherit a livable, sustainable, and ecologically rich planet. The resolution reaffirms that immediate action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect our planet, public health, and overall well-being of all people and wildlife. In addition, it encourages the American people to mark Earth Day by working to address environmental challenges, educate others about the need for year-round action, and honor the stewardship ethic for which Senator Gaylord Nelson stood.
  • Fish Act of 2019

    HR #4723 | Last Action: 10/17/2019
    Salmon Focused Investments in Sustainable Habitats Act of 2019 or theFish Act of 2019 This bill addresses identifying, restoring, and protecting salmon conservation areas in the United States. Specifically, the bill * requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to jointly issue guidance on the process and biological criteria required to identify salmon conservation areas; and * directs the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide grants to certain entities to protect or maintain salmon conservation area features and projects that are focused on conservation and restoration within conservation areas, including to restore or maintain ecological functions and processes related to salmon productivity and diversity at watershed or subwatershed scales.
  • Western Water Security Act of 2020

    HR #4891 | Last Action: 10/28/2019
    Western Water Security Act of 2019 This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states. Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2024 a program through which Interior is authorized to assist eligible desalination projects. The bill lowers cost-sharing requirements under the program for rural desalination projects. Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values. The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.
  • Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020

    S #4431 | Last Action: 8/4/2020
    Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
  • Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020

    HR #7978 | Last Action: 8/10/2020
    Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
  • Wildfire Resilient Communities Act

    S #1691 | Last Action: 5/23/2019
    Wildfire-Resilient Communities Act This bill provides funding and sets forth provisions to address wildland fire management in certain at-risk communities that are within the vicinity of federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire. The bill provides funding for the Forest Service to carry out hazardous fuels reduction projects. The Forest Service shall prioritize projects that (1) are conducted in areas that are within or adjacent to at-risk communities or high value watersheds, have very high wildfire hazard potential, or are in fire regime I, II, or III; or (2) are designed to integrate and advance two or more of the goals established in a specified wildland fire management report to create fire-adapted communities, to restore and maintain resilient landscapes, and to achieve safe, effective fire response. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior shall furnish financial and technical assistance to at-risk communities that are adjacent to federal land, including through states, to assist such communities in planning and preparing for wildfire. The bill makes permanent the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. The bill removes the limits on the number of proposals that may be funded for ecological restoration treatments for priority forest landscapes under the program. The Forest Service may continue to select the number of proposals that are determined likely to receive adequate funding. The bill establishes the County Stewardship Fund for making payments to counties that have a contract for a stewardship contracting project on federal land within their boundaries.
  • Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019

    S #1499 | Last Action: 5/16/2019
    Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 This bill provides for the conservation and restoration of habitats that facilitate the movement of certain native or noninvasive species (e.g., fish, wildlife, or plant species) that may be at risk due to habitat loss or fragmentation. The bill establishes a National Wildlife Corridor System and provides for the designation and management of such corridors on federal land and water. Acorridormeans a feature of the landscape or seascape that (1) provides habitat or ecological connectivity, and (2) allows for movement or dispersal of native or noninvasive fish, wildlife, or plants. Indian tribes may nominate a corridor within their land to be included in a Tribal Wildlife Corridor. In addition, the bill establishes a Wildlife Corridors Stewardship Fund to receive donations for the management and protection of the corridors. It also establishes a wildlife movements grant program to encourage the passage of fish, wildlife, or plant species across a landscape or seascape. The National Coordination Committee, established by this bill, must recommend projects to fund under the grant program. The committee must also develop standards for regional wildlife movement plans to allow for better cross-regional collaboration. No fewer than four regional wildlife movement councils must be established. Among other things, the councils must submit to the committee regional wildlife movement plans as well as lists of funding priorities. Finally, the U.S. Geological Survey must establish a National Wildlife Corridors Database.
  • Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019

    HR #2795 | Last Action: 1/29/2020
    Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 This bill provides for the conservation and restoration of habitats that facilitate the movement of certain native species (e.g., fish, wildlife, or plant species) that may be at risk due to habitat loss or fragmentation. The bill establishes a National Wildlife Corridor System and provides for the designation and management of such corridors on federal land and water. Acorridormeans a feature of the landscape or seascape that (1) provides habitat or ecological connectivity, and (2) allows for movement or dispersal of native fish, wildlife, or plants. Indian tribes may nominate a corridor within their land to be included in a Tribal Wildlife Corridor. In addition, the bill establishes a Wildlife Corridors Stewardship Fund to receive donations for the management and protection of the corridors. It also establishes a wildlife movement grant program to encourage the passage of native fish, wildlife, or plant species across a landscape or seascape. The National Coordination Committee, established by this bill, must recommend projects to fund under the grant program. The committee must also develop standards for regional wildlife movement plans to allow for better cross-regional collaboration. No fewer than four regional wildlife movement councils must be established. Among other things, the councils must submit to the committee regional wildlife movement plans as well as lists of funding priorities. Finally, the U.S. Geological Survey must establish a National Wildlife Corridors Database.
  • Western Water Security Act of 2019

    S #2718 | Last Action: 10/28/2019
    Western Water Security Act of 2019 This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states. Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2024 a program through which Interior is authorized to assist eligible desalination projects. The bill lowers cost-sharing requirements under the program for rural desalination projects. Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values. The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.
  • Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019

    S #2891 | Last Action: 12/9/2020
    Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the use of wildlife corridors on Indian land to provide habitat or ecological connectivity and allow for fish, wildlife, or plant movement on such land. Specifically, the bill permits an Indian tribe to nominate a corridor within the land of such tribe as a tribal wildlife corridor. The Department of the Interior must establish criteria for determining whether such a corridor qualifies as a tribal wildlife corridor, including criteria for restoring historical habitat. Interior must provide tribes with technical assistance to establish, manage, or expand a tribal wildlife corridor. Such assistance must include support with accessing wildlife data and working with private landowners to access programs for facilitating connectivity on nonfederal land. Additionally, Interior must (1) establish a program to award grants to tribes to increase connectivity through tribal wildlife corridors, and (2) consult with tribes to determine whether a tribal wildlife corridor may be expanded into public lands or otherwise benefit connectivity between public lands and such corridor. The bill also permits the Department of Agriculture to give priority under certain conservation programs to those projects that enhance connectivity by expanding a tribal wildlife corridor.
  • Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019

    HR #5179 | Last Action: 1/29/2020
    Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the use of wildlife corridors on Indian land to provide habitat or ecological connectivity and allow for fish, wildlife, or plant movement on such land. Specifically, the bill permits an Indian tribe to nominate a corridor within the land of such tribe as a tribal wildlife corridor. The Department of the Interior must establish criteria for determining whether such a corridor qualifies as a tribal wildlife corridor, including criteria for restoring historical habitat. Interior must provide tribes with technical assistance to establish, manage, or expand a tribal wildlife corridor. Such assistance must include support with accessing wildlife data and working with private landowners to access programs for facilitating connectivity on nonfederal land. Additionally, Interior must (1) establish a program to award grants to tribes to increase connectivity through tribal wildlife corridors, and (2) consult with tribes to determine whether a tribal wildlife corridor may be expanded into public lands or otherwise benefit connectivity between public lands and such corridor. The bill also permits the Department of Agriculture to give priority under certain conservation programs to those projects that enhance connectivity by expanding a tribal wildlife corridor.
  • Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act

    HR #252 | Last Action: 2/5/2019
    Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct sales or exchanges of eligible lands in Pershing County, Nevada, identified as the "Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area." Interior and the county shall jointly select which parcels of eligible land to offer for sale or acre-for-acre exchange. For purposes of acre-for-acre exchanges, Interior shall identify management priority areas within the Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area, including those considered to be: * greater sage-grouse habitat; * part of an identified wildlife corridor or designated critical habitat; * of value for outdoor recreation or public access for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes; * of significant cultural, historic, ecological, or scenic value; or * of value for improving federal land management. The bill prescribes requirements for the disposition of proceeds from the sale of lands. Interior shall convey to the county, without consideration, Unionville Cemetery. The bill designates specified federal land in Nevada as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System and releases specified wilderness study areas from further review for designation as wilderness.
  • Plum Island Preservation Act

    S #5099 | Last Action: 9/18/2024
  • Plum Island Preservation Act

    S #412 | Last Action: 2/5/2025