Rep. Calvert’s Interior Bill Approved by the Appropriations Committee

Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42). Rep. Calvert is the Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

"Our bill takes a number of important steps to protect the American economy, our natural resources, and the safety of communities threatened by wildfires and earthquakes," said Rep. Calvert. "I'm especially pleased that the committee voted to include much needed provisions to address California's water challenges. My California Republican colleagues and I are committed to advancing these water solutions in any possible legislative vehicle."

Bill Highlights:

(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – The bill funds the EPA at $7.98 billion, a reduction of $164 million below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $291 million below the President's budget request. Within this total, the EPA's regulatory programs are reduced by $43 million (6 percent) below the current level and $187 million (21 percent) below the President's request.

The legislation also rejects the President's proposed increase in staffing, holding the EPA to the current capacity of 15,000 positions, the lowest since 1989.

To stop the EPA's anti-growth agenda that includes various harmful, costly, and potentially job-killing regulations, the bill contains a number of legislative provisions. Some of these include:

· A prohibition on the EPA from implementing new greenhouse gas regulations for new and existing power plants, and the elimination of funding for greenhouse gas "New Source Performance Standards";

· A prohibition on the EPA from making changes to the definition of "navigable waters" under the Clean Water Act;

· A prohibition on the EPA from making changes to the definition of "fill material";

· A prohibition on the EPA from imposing duplicative financial assurance requirements;

· A reporting requirement on the backlog of mining permits awaiting approval;

· A prohibition on new methane requirements; and

· A prohibition on the regulation of the lead content of ammunition and fishing tackle.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – The bill includes $1.1 billion for the USGS, $18 million above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Funding is targeted to programs dealing with natural hazards, streamgages, the groundwater monitoring network, and mapping activities. Also, within the total, the bill includes $10 million for an earthquake early warning system to help save lives during natural disasters, and $6 million for the accelerated launch of "Landsat 9" – a satellite program that provides land use measurements that are important to local communities for agriculture, forestry, energy and water resource decisions.

Wildland Firefighting and Prevention – In total, the bill funds wildland firefighting and prevention programs at $3.9 billion – fully funding the 10-year average for wildland fire suppression costs for both the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. When accounting for a previous, one-time payment within last year's funding bill, the legislation provides $243 million above the fiscal year 2016 level. The legislation also includes $575 million for hazardous fuels management, which is $30 million above the fiscal year 2016 level.

Federal Payments to Local Communities – The bill provides $480 million for the "Payments In Lieu of Taxes" (PILT) program. PILT provides funds for local governments in 49 states to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their counties. Without congressional action, many rural communities would face huge budget shortfalls impacting public safety, education, and other local government responsibilities.

Lead in Drinking Water – To help address the ongoing problem of lead in drinking water across the U.S., which can cause dangerous health risks, the bill provides additional legal authority allowing states to provide debt relief in areas with elevated levels of lead in drinking water. The bill also provides targeted increases for water infrastructure programs such as:

• $2.1 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), including an increase of $207 million over the current level for the Drinking Water SRF;
• $50 million for the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (WIFIA) program;
• $109.7 million for state grants, a $7.7 million increase above the current level, to improve operations and oversight of drinking water systems; and
• $6.5 million, the full requested amount, for integrated planning activities within EPA's Office of Water to assist communities as they plan to replace pipes.

National Park Service (NPS) – The legislation contains $2.9 billion for the NPS, an increase of $71 million above the fiscal year 2016 level. Within this funding, the bill provides $65 million in targeted increases for park operations and maintenance to help reduce the maintenance backlog and addresses other priorities related to the Park Service's centennial anniversary.

U.S. Forest Service – The bill includes $5.3 billion for the Forest Service. More than half of this funding – $2.9 billion – is targeted to wildland fire prevention and suppression. The bill also includes a provision prohibiting the Forest Service or BLM from issuing new closures of public lands to hunting and recreational shooting, except in the case of public safety.

For the subcommittee draft text of the legislation, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/BILLS-114HR-SC-AP-FY2017-Interior-SubcommitteeDraft.pdf

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