House backs minibus with environmental amendments: “Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol made headway on the annual appropriations process, with the House passing a nearly $1 trillion spending package and emergency funding for the border crisis clearing the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House voted 226-203 for the four-bill package, H.R. 2740, which comprises Energy-Water Development, Defense, Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, and State-Foreign Operations measures. Final passage occurred after the Democratic majority overcame procedural protests by conservatives unhappy the House has not acted on President Trump's request for billions of dollars to address the border crisis. Led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Republicans forced dozens of votes on amendments, prompting Democrats to bundle multiple amendments into en bloc packages. House members earlier this afternoon disposed of a number of amendments to the Energy-Water Development title of the bill, with members voting 233-201 to adopt an amendment by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) that would bar funding to complete the environmental impact statement for Alaska's Pebble mine. Pebble foes thanked the House. "Local voices and concerns are being ignored, science is being short-changed and the entire process is improperly weighing the risks of the proposed Pebble Mine to our way of life and jobs and fish," Bristol Bay Native Association President and CEO Ralph Andersen said in a statement. Conservatives slammed the amendment. "For all the dramatic displays of affection Democratic members have shown for [the National Environmental Policy Act], these hypocrites are now trying to block funding to finalize the environmental review of the proposed Pebble Mine project in Alaska," Western Caucus Chairman Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) said in a statement.”

[E&E News, 6/19/19] http://bit.ly/2FkKxWK

Gila River diversion plan turns on crucial vote expected today: “The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission is scheduled to vote today on whether the Bureau of Reclamation can spend an additional $1.8 million to complete environmental impact statements for the Gila River Diversion Project. To receive the maximum federal funds, the state must complete the impact statements in time for the Secretary of the Interior to approve them by the end of 2019. The deadline may be extended only if New Mexico can show the state wasn’t responsible for delays. Several New Mexico legislators, leaders and environmental groups have criticized the diversion project for a lack of concrete plans, despite having received funds since 2012. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in October that she wants to end plans for the Gila Diversion. She followed through on that sentiment with a line-item veto in April of nearly $1.7 million for the project. “We need to use the settlement money more efficiently on other projects that could help more of southwestern New Mexico,” Lujan Grisham stated in her October 2018 water plan. “As governor, I will take whatever steps are available to withdraw the proposal for the diversion project and ask the ISC to explore alternatives to diversion with local governments and stakeholders and develop appropriate plans.” If the ISC, the CAP and the Bureau of Reclamation miss the year-end National Environmental Policy Act deadline for environmental impact statements, the Gila diversion project may go away. Another portion of the New Mexico Unit Fund could then be used for several smaller water diversion and conservation projects in the western part of the state.”

[Albuquerque Journal, 6/19/19] http://bit.ly/2WS3pHw

The National Environmental Policy Act Belongs in a Museum: “Dinosaur lovers and fans of prehistoric titans like the T-Rex eagerly awaited the reopening of the Hall of Fossils in Washington, DC’s Natural History Museum this month. But when children and parents visit the 31,000 square-foot building with 700 different specimens on display, one of the country’s most prominent fossils will be missing. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is not a dinosaur in the animal or reptile sense, but this old relic has certainly earned a rightful place among the frightful remains of long ago. NEPA is a bureaucratic force of nature that predates even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Its effect is seen when legislative calls to revitalize America’s infrastructure are treated as a joke, and with little wonder. It’s well known that even if a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill were passed, prospective projects would be held up for years due to NEPA and a host of other regulatory beasts. If America wants to get serious about energy infrastructure, political leaders first must get serious about retiring or significantly reforming NEPA. NEPA was originally intended as a way to inform federal agencies of environmental concerns and analyze the potential environmental impacts of prospective infrastructure or development projects. But like many regulatory policies, NEPA soon ballooned into a massive bureaucratic mess. What used to be a 12-month review process for larger projects, now takes six years, on average. Ten-page reports transformed into thousand-page long tomes.”

[American Energy Alliance, 6/19/19] http://bit.ly/2RvVkT2

U.S. Forest Service proposed to cut more trees by cutting public input: “Last week, the U.S. Forest Service proposed sweeping policy changes that would eliminate environmental review and public involvement for most Forest Service decisions, including logging projects, road construction, and pipelines. The proposed rule includes a new loophole for commercial logging that would allow up to 4,200 acres—6.6 square miles—of clearcutting without prior notice or public involvement. “National forest users—hikers, bikers, scenic drivers, and wildlife watchers—won’t know what’s coming until the logging trucks show up at their favorite trailheads, or until roads and trails are closed,” says Attorney Sam Evans, leader of SELC’s National Forests and Parks Program. Although logging is one use of our national forest lands, logging in the wrong places and at the wrong times can cause severe harm to other important ecological, social, and economic values. Those unnecessary harms can be avoided by considering public input, which is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—our nation’s bedrock environmental law that ensures thorough public disclosure of federal decision-making, and allows the public to provide input on decisions that impact our environment. The national forests of the Southern Appalachians are especially vulnerable to the proposed changes. Our forests are ecologically complex, home to countless rare species, and beloved for their trails, scenery, and solitude. Even small logging projects in our region often threaten old growth forests, rare habitats, and recreation.”

[Southern Environmental Law Center, 6/19/19] http://bit.ly/2KtdWlX

NCDOT plans measures to stop sound’s assault on ferry landing: “Cape Hatteras National Seashore wants to hear opinions on a proposal to install a steel wall and groins at the north end of Ocracoke Island to keep the ferry landing area from going under water. Erosion from the Pamilco Sound has damaged the ferry basin bulkhead and stacking lanes within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the National Park Service says. The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to install a 1,000-foot-long sheet pile wall, which was recently permitted as an emergency action, and to build groins interspersed with submerged concrete structures. “The use of both barge mounted pile driving equipment and land-based equipment are proposed for construction. NCDOT would like to begin construction in the spring of 2020,” the Park Service said in a request for public comments. “An Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The EA will document the effects of the NCDOT proposed action to the resources within the project area in order to determine what action the National Park Service will authorize NCDOT to perform for shoreline protection. Resource issues and topics may include coastal shoreline processes, human health and safety, wildlife habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation, water resources, and visitor experience.”

[Outer Banks Voice, 6/20/19] http://bit.ly/2Kt7OtH

Justin McCarthy

Communications Director, NEPA Campaign

The Partnership Project
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The Partnership Project, a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit, is a collaborative effort of over 20 of the country’s most influential advocacy organizations, including Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, League of Conservation Voters, Earthjustice, and Natural Resources Defense Council.