Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
september 2014
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House passes bill blocking proposed changes to Clean Water Act
September 23, 2014
On September 9, a majority of House Republicans united with 35 Democrats to successfully pass H.R. 5078, a bill blocking the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed changes to the Clean Water Act (CWA).
The EPA, together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, introduced the rule to clarify what types of water are protected under the current definition of “waters of the U.S.” in the CWA. Despite EPA statements that the proposed change does not include any waters not already protected under the CWA, critics have accused the agency of regulatory overreach. Representative Steve Southerland (R-FL) introduced H.R. 5078, which prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA from moving forward with the rule and from using the existing rule as the basis for any future rulemaking regarding the CWA.
Despite strong opposition from the White House and arguments from Democrats on the House floor, H.R. 5078 passed 262-152 with just one Republican, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), voting in opposition.
The bill will now move on to the Senate for consideration.
Sources: E&E News, Congress.gov
House Natural Resources Committee approves bills supporting surface water storage projects
September 18, 2014
On September 18, Democrats and Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee approved three bills that help to create and expand surface storage water projects. The bills, which include the Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act (H.R. 3980), the Accelerated Revenue, Repayment, and Surface Water Storage Enhancement Act (H.R. 3981), and the Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water Storage Streamlining Act (H.R. 5412), aim to update and improve the permitting and funding processes for federal and non-federal surface water storage projects.
Surface water storage projects such as dams and reservoirs enable communities to store and control the flow of water. These projects help to provide resources for energy generation, farming, recreation, fisheries, and navigation. The current permitting process for surface water storage projects is “convoluted… [and] a host of federal agencies require a dizzying array of permits, decisions, and approvals,” according to Subcommittee on Water and Power Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA). The bills streamline this process by coordinating schedules and sharing information between federal agencies and accelerating studies.
The bills will move on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Source: House Natural Resources Committee
President Obama establishes world's largest marine reserve
September 25, 2014
On September 25, President Obama announced the addition of more than 490,000 square miles of federally protected waters around the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in the southern Pacific Ocean south and west of Hawaii, making it the largest marine reserve in the world. The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established by President George W. Bush in 2009. The new additions will increase the monument to roughly six times its current size.
The region is home to coral reefs and is a valuable stopping place for migratory seabirds. The creation of the reserve will protect these ecosystems from resource extraction activities like commercial fishing and deep-sea mining. Because of this, some conservative lawmakers have criticized the move as an abuse of executive power and an unnecessary burden on economic activity.
The President’s designation is part of an ongoing effort to promote marine conservation in U.S. and international waters, and has strong support from Secretary of State John Kerry and White House adviser John Podesta.
Sources: E&E News, the Washington Post, White House Office of the Press Secretary