1) House approves major water infrastructure legislation
2) Public lands bill faces another Senate vote
3) Senate votes on Interior and NOAA nominees
4) Congressional Calendar
5) Jobs at American Rivers
1) House approves major water infrastructure legislation
Last week the House of Representatives approved major water infrastructure legislation that will authorize nearly $20 billion for wastewater and water quality improvements over the next five years. H.R. 1262, sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), was approved by a vote of 317-101. The legislation would provide $13.8 billion over five years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a provision requiring public notification of sewage spills, and $750 million over five years for the Great Lakes Legacy Act. The House adopted several amendments supported by water conservationists including an amendment by Chairman Oberstar and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) that would increase stormwater pilot projects that use low impact development such as rain gardens and green roofs and also promote use of green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows. Also adopted was an amendment by Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA) that adds evaluation of water and energy conservation efforts as part of a loan recipient’s fiscal sustainability plan and an amendment from Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH) to increase funding for sewage overflow control grants to $2.5 billion.
On Thursday the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on efforts to address urban stormwater runoff. Last October a National Research Council report found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must make radical changes to its stormwater program in order to reverse degradation of freshwater resources. Recommended changes include basing regulations on watershed boundaries rather than political boundaries and integrating stormwater management and land management to limit impervious surfaces.
Hearing: The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.
2) Public lands bill faces another Senate vote
Last week the House failed to pass S. 22, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, by a vote of 282-144, falling just two votes shy of the two-thirds required to pass under a suspension of the rules. Congressional supporters of the legislation, which would designate over two million acres of new Wilderness areas and protect over 1,100 miles of 86 rivers by designating them as National Wild and Scenic Rivers, are determined to overcome the procedural hurdles thrown up by opponents. The Senate plans to take up the legislation again this week, adding it as an amendment to H.R. 146, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ). The Senate is expected to debate the measure this week and a key vote is expected on Thursday.
3) Senate votes on Interior and NOAA nominees
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee scheduled a vote for Wednesday on the nomination of David Hayes as Interior deputy secretary. The Committee is expected to easily confirm Mr. Hayes, though several Republicans, including Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), have raised objections over his previous lobbying experience and comments on former President Ronald Reagan’s environmental record.
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to question President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce, former Washington Governor Gary Locke. If confirmed, Gov. Locke’s jurisdiction will include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which plays a major role in keeping the nation’s rivers free-flowing through the Open Rivers Initiative and management of anadromous fish species. Last week the Committee approved Jane Lubchenco as head of NOAA and the full Senate is expected to vote on her confirmation as early as this week.
4) Congressional Calendar
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hearing on the status of climate change science
House Committee on Appropriations
10:00 a.m., H-309 Capitol Building
Hearing on Energy Department R&D programs
House Committee on Science and Technology
10:00 a.m., 2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Vote on Interior deputy secretary nominee
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
09:30 a.m., 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Hearing on Commerce Secretary nominee
Senate Committee on Commerce
10:00 a.m., 253 Russell Senate Office Building
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Hearing on the federal public lands workforce
House Committee on Natural Resources
10:00 a.m., 1324 Longworth House Office Building
Hearing on stimulus oversight
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
10:00 a.m., 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
Hearing on urban stormwater runoff
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
10:00 a.m., 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
5) Jobs and Internships
For a complete listing of jobs at American Rivers, click here
- Associate Director of Development, River Guardian Program (Washington, DC)
- Waccamaw River Blue Trail Organizer (Contract Position)
- Northwest Regional Office Director (Seattle, WA)
- Development Assistant (Washington, DC)
Internship Programs
Do you love rivers? Does interning in the nation's capital in a fun and friendly environment sound like a great way to spend a semester or the summer? If you've answered yes, then click here to learn more about American Rivers' Internship Program and how you can gain valuable experience working at a national conservation organization.
- California River Restoration Fellow (Nevada City, CA)
Questions? Contact Eileen Fretz at (202) 347-7550.
Legislative information is obtained from sources including: Environment and Energy Daily, Greenwire, Roll Call, and members of the American Rivers conservation staff. To read the bills mentioned in the River Policy Update, you may visit http://thomas.loc.gov/ and enter the bill number.
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