Press Releases
Ranking Member Grijalva Questions Legal Basis of Campaign by New Republican Group to Take Away Federal Control of Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement on the recent formation of the House Republican "Federal Land Action Group." "Building on the ideas of extremists like Cliven Bundy, House Republicans have formed a group to explore the idea that if you see a federal resource you like, maybe you can just take it. Hopefully I can save them some time and spare the State of Utah the $12 million the Legislature wants to spend on thi… Continue Reading
04.29.15
Ranking Member Grijalva Questions Need for Unpopular, Partisan Republican Bill Weakening Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Law
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement ahead of tomorrow's Committee consideration of amendments to H.R. 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. The Republican bill would weaken the successful Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. "This bill is an overreaching, unpopular overhaul of a law that doesn't need it. Scientists, conservationists… Continue Reading
04.28.15
What Natural Resources Committee Democrats Are Doing for Earth Week
House Natural Resources Committee Democrats have been actively promoting a conservation message every day during Earth Week, and we wanted to share the highlights with you. So far we've seen. . . Bills Introduced Rep. Lois Capps (CA-24) Introduces Bill to Halt Offshore Fracking and Require Environmental Review Reps. Jared Polis (CO-2) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) Introduce Legislation Aimed at Employing Veterans in Restoration and Protection of Our Public Land and Waters Reps. Mark Takai (HI-1… Continue Reading
04.15.15
Ranking Member Grijalva, Rep. Fitzpatrick Introduce Bill to Permanently Establish Land and Water Conservation Fund, Prevent Sept. Expiration
Washington, D.C. - Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act. Over its 50-year history, the LWCF has come to be recognized as America's most important conservation program. Without congressional action, the program's current authorization will expire at the end of September. LWCF is the only federal program dedicate… Continue Reading
04.13.15
Ranking Member Grijalva Hails “Long Overdue” Proposed Oil Rig Blowout Preventer Rule, Calls Worker Health and Safety “Non-Negotiable”
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement on the Interior Department's newly announced Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement proposed rule on blowout preventers. "The worst oil spill in our nation's history, which is still damaging our families and our economy five years later, happened because of weak safety standards and a lack of industry oversight. This long overdue proposed rule helps bring drilling safety… Continue Reading
03.31.15
House Natural Resources Committee Democrats and Ranking Member Grijalva Holding Forum on Environmental Justice in Los Angeles April 8
Washington, D.C. - Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources will host a public Forum on Environmental Justice in Los Angeles on April 8 as part of a series of roundtables convened by Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva that include stakeholders traditionally left out of climate and environmental policy discussions. Grijalva will moderate the forum and hear from members of Congress, state and local officials, community and business leaders and environmental advocates. The … Continue Reading
03.25.15
Natural Resources Committee Democrats Host Roundtable on Women and the Environment – Part of an Ongoing Committee Series
Washington, D.C. - Democratic members of the House Committee on Natural Resources met with national women conservation leaders today to discuss the invaluable role women play in improving national policy on climate change, clean air and water, wildlife preservation, and environmental justice. The meeting is the second in a series of roundtables Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva is convening to bring in stakeholders traditionally left out of climate and environmental policy discussions. Grijalva h… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Ranking Member Grijalva, Natural Resources Democrats Call on Appropriators to Fund Sage-Grouse Conservation to Avoid ESA Listing
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva and 20 other House Democrats, including 15 Committee members, sent a letter to members of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday urging full funding of the Obama administration's efforts to conserve the greater sage-grouse. The Interior Department must determine by September 30 whether the bird warrants a listing under the Endangered Species Act. The funding, which would support collaborative sta… Continue Reading
03.20.15
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva Statement on Newly Released Fracking Rule
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement on today's newly announced Bureau of Land Management fracking rule. "We could have avoided years of uncertainty and environmental risk by setting a strong, clear, consistent standard before the fracking boom took off. Now, at this late date, instead of offering clarity and protecting our resources, today's rule lets industry off the hook. Rather than raising the bar, the Bureau … Continue Reading
03.04.15
Grijalva, DeFazio Lead 79 Members in Urging Wolf Protections – Letter Calls on Interior Secretary to Change Course, Use Best Science
This press release has been updated from a previous version that incorrectly listed the total number of signatories as 78. The letter has 79 signatories. Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), joined by 77 other members of the House of Representatives, sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell today asking her to support a petition to downlist the… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Natural Resources Democrats, Leading Latino Organizations Conclude Historic Roundtable on an Inclusive Environmental Agenda
Washington, D.C. - Democratic Members of the House Natural Resources Committee held a groundbreaking roundtable discussion today with six of the country's leading Latino organizations as part of Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva's efforts to build a broader environmental coalition with an inclusive agenda for the 114th Congress and beyond. The meeting focused on how Members of Congress and Latino groups can work together on issues important to constituents and group members alike, including climat… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Natural Resources Ranking Member Grijalva Statement on President Obama’s Veto of the Bill to Force Keystone XL Approval
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement today on President Obama's veto of the bill to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. "President Obama was right to veto this bill, and unfortunately he may need to keep his pen handy. Any energy package Congress sends him this year will do more for the fossil fuel industry than for the average American or the environment. Many oil companies, even after years… Continue Reading
02.23.15
Feb. 23 Grijalva Letter to Jewell on H.R. 308
On February 23rd, 2015, Ranking Member Raul Grijalva sent a letter to the Honorable Sally Jewell regarding H.R. 308, "The Keep the Promise Act of 2015". Ranking Member Grijalva requested for the Department of Interior's views on this proposed legislation to ensure that all committee members have a full understanding of the potential impact of H.R.308.… Continue Reading
02.19.15
Natural Resources Ranking Member Grijalva Statement on President Obama’s Designation of Three New National Monuments
Tucson, Ariz. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement on today's presidential designation of three new national monuments. "Conserving our public lands and recognizing milestones in our nation's history are among every president's greatest responsibilities and proudest achievements. President Obama acted in the best spirit of that tradition today when he designated Pullman Historic Chicago District, Browns Canyon, and H… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Ranking Member Grijalva Introduces Mining Reform Bill, Rep. Tonko Rolls Out GAO Report on Cost of Abandoned Site Cleanups
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to address the nation's backlog of abandoned mine cleanups and ensure taxpayers get a fair share from public lands mining, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) introduced the Hardrock Mining Reform and Reclamation Act of 2015 (formally listed as H.R. 963) with 16 cosponsors at a press event in front of the U.S. Capitol this morning. Federal estimates of the cost to clean up abandoned mines are as high as $54 billion. Th… Continue Reading
12.02.14
DEFAZIO PUSHES FOREST SERVICE TO RECONSIDER WOLF SPORT KILLS ON PUBLIC LANDS
For Immediate Release: December 2, 2014 Contact: Jen Gilbreath (Resources), 202-225-4081 DEFAZIO PUSHES FOREST SERVICE TO RECONSIDER WOLF SPORT KILLS ON PUBLIC LANDS Urges agency to analyze environmental impact before allowing wolf sport killing Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, requesting that he stop a coyote and wolf hunting derby planned on public National Forest S… Continue Reading
09.11.14
DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Curb Illegal Ivory Trafficking
MEDIA RELEASE: September 11, 2014 Contact: Jen Gilbreath 202-225-4081 DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Curb Illegal Ivory Trafficking Legislation would cut off funding for trafficking that funds terrorist groups Washington, D.C. -Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) introduced legislation that would impose trade sanctions on countries that facilitate ivory trafficking. Ivory from elephant tusks contributes billions to the global ill… Continue Reading
09.10.14
IRRIGATION DISTRICTS OWE FEDS $1.6 BILLION FOR LOCAL WATER PROJECTS, SAYS GAO
For Immediate Release: September 10, 2014 Contact: Jen Gilbreath (DeFazio), 202-225-4081 Jerry O'Donnell (Napolitano), (202) 225-5256 Paul Arden (Huffman), (202) 225-5161 IRRIGATION DISTRICTS OWE FEDS $1.6 BILLION FOR LOCAL WATER PROJECTS, SAYS GAO Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resource Committee Democrats highlighted a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that irrigation districts owe the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) $1.6 billion in outstanding water … Continue Reading
09.03.14
DeFazio Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act
For Immediate Release: September 3, 2014 Contact: Jen Gilbreath (DeFazio), 202-225-4081 DeFazio Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act Landmark law has protected nearly 110 million acres of irreplaceable wilderness Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, landmark legislation that has protected and preserved nearly 110 million acres of irreplaceable wilder… Continue Reading
07.30.14
DeFazio Blasts Republicans For Wasting Time While The West Battles Wildfire Disasters, Agencies May Run Out of Money
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2014 Contact: Jen Gilbreath (DeFazio), 202-225-4081 *VIDEO AVAILABLE* DeFazio Blasts Republicans For Wasting Time While The West Battles Wildfire Disasters, Agencies May Run Out of Money Republicans focus on doomed, partisan Endangered Species Act bill Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) blasted Republican leadership for wasting time on legislation to undermine the Endangered Species Act… Continue Reading