Senate Energy Bill Amendment #3210 - from Land Trust Advocates
The US Senate’s energy bill, which contains a provision to permanently authorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), has been stuck in legislative limbo for several months regarding sending aid to Flint, Michigan. We understand that the bill is now going to move forward this week, with votes on amendments possible as soon as today. We ask that you learn more about Amendment #3210 by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), which would restrict federal land acquisition until backlogged maintenance is taken care of. If this amendment is not opposed, it will stop the LWCF in its tracks. The Lankford Amendment #3210 would place restrictions on federal land acquisition in order to address backlogged maintenance. Our position is that conservation and maintenance are important, but separate needs, with separate funding streams, and one should not be traded for the other. The Murkowski-Cantwell agreement, included in the energy bill, already addresses both issues by permanently reauthorizing LWCF and creating a new, separate maintenance fund.
You can take action TODAY by contacting our U.S. Senators and voicing your opinion. You can reach any senator’s office by calling the switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask for the natural resources staffer and give your opinion on the Lankford Amendment and the Murkowski-Cantwell agreement.
Roy Blunt (MO) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here.
Claire McCaskill (MO) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here. Jerry Moran (KS) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here. Pat Roberts (KS) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here.
Clean Water Rule - from the Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers recently finalized a federal rule restoring Clean Water Act protections to smaller streams and wetlands—waters that provide drinking water for 117 million Americans.
The rule would be particularly beneficial for the nearly 2.5 million in Missouri who get drinking water from streams covered by the rule. These streams and wetlands are also important for fish and wildlife—and therefore for the $2.7 Billion spent in Missouri each year on wildlife recreation.
The final Clean Water Rule clarifies longstanding Clean Water Act protections for wetlands and headwater streams important to fish, wildlife, and drinking water. It strengthens exemptions for farming, ranching, and forestry, defining more clearly than ever before what is and is not covered by the Clean Water Act. It is a major step forward for protection of many streams and wetlands that have been at increased risk of pollution or destruction due to regulatory confusion for nearly 15 years.
After more than a decade of confusion, we finally have a rule that clarifies Clean Water Act jurisdiction. It needs your voice. Consider contacting your U.S. Senator once again to voice your opinion on any legislation that would undermine the Clean Water Rule.
There is an urgent threat to the Clean Water Rule in the United States Senate. An amendment is being prepared and will be introduced to the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that would attack the Clean Water Rule. The Senate will be voting in the next few days on whether to allow this rider to move forward.
You can take action TODAY by contacting our U.S. Senators and voicing your opinion. You can reach any senator’s office by calling the switchboard at 202-224-3121 to give your opinion on the Clean Water Rule.
Roy Blunt (MO) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here.
Claire McCaskill (MO) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here. Jerry Moran (KS) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here. Pat Roberts (KS) - find the D.C. and your local office contact information here.