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GLIN==> NEMW/Great Lakes Hill Update - Bill and hearing summaries

     GLIN-folks!

        Updated documents summarizing bill and committee hearing information 
relevant to Great Lakes concerns are available on the NE-MW website 
(http://www.nemw.org/glupdate).  Text of legislation can be found at 
www.thomas.gov.

Highlights of the recent developments:

Great Lakes Water Diversions:
·  Two new bills (Senator Abraham's S. 1667 and Rep. Camp's H.R. 2973) have been
    introduced to place a moratorium on the export of bulk fresh water from the 
    Great Lakes basin.  These bills join Rep. Stupak's bill (H.R. 2595) which 
    was introduced in late July.  The three bills differ slightly in term of 
    moratorium, findings and definitions.  Now is an excellent time to 
    communicate with your Senators and Representatives on water use concerns.

Conservation:

·  The House passed Rep. Kildee's Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act  
     (H.R.468). On September 22 the bill was referred to the Senate 
     Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.  Senators Abraham and 
     Levin have introduced identical legislation (S. 1784).  The bill would 
     establish the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area by extending 
     the boundaries of the Hiawatha National Forest (pursuant to conveyance 
     of title for the island to the federal government).  The bill will not 
     affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of Michigan with respect 
     to fish and wildlife in the Area.  Now would be an excellent time for 
     concerned parties to express their views to their Senators.
     
·  The House passed Rep. Stupak's bill to amend the Act that established 
    the Keweenaw National Historical Park (H.R.748).  Senator Levin has 
    introduced identical legislation (S. 1781).  The bill fixes a 
    constitutionality problem with the language used by the original Act to 
    describe the process for appointing members to the Keweenaw National 
    Historical Park Advisory Commission.  On October 13th the bill was referred 
    to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.  Now would be 
    an excellent time for concerned parties to express their views to their 
    Senators. 
     
·  The House passed Rep. Dingell's North American Wetlands Conservation 
    Council Expansion Act of 1999 (H.R. 2821).  The bill provides for 
    appointment of 2 additional members of the North American Wetlands 
    Conservation Council.  On October 19th the bill was referred to the Senate 
    Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.  Now would be an excellent 
    time for concerned parties to express their views to their Senators.
     
·  The House Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands of the 
    Resources Committee passed Rep. Bereutter's National Discovery Trails 
    Act of 1999 (H.R.2339).  
     
·  Senator Chafee's National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act 
    Amendments of 1999 (S.1653) has been referred to the Senate Committee 
    on Environment and Public Works.  The bill reauthorizes the Foundation 
    through 2004 and amends sections relating to appointment of members, 
    use of funds, land acquisition, and limitations of authority.
     
·  The latest formal entry in the ongoing series of legislative efforts to 
    restructure funding for conservation efforts and outer continental 
    shelf revenue sharing is Senator Lieberman's Natural Resources 
    Reinvestment Act of 1999 (S.1573) which was referred to the Senate 
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in mid-September.
     
Cormorants and Geese:
     
·  Rep. McHugh's bill to authorize States to establish hunting seasons for 
    double crested cormorants (H.R.3118) has been referred to the  House 
    Committee on Resources.  Now would be an excellent time for concerned 
    parties to express their views to their Representative.
     
·  Rep. Saxton's Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act 
     (H.R.2454) has been reported out of the Senate Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works (S. Sept. 106-188).  The bill seeks to 
     assure the long-term conservation of mid continent light geese and the 
     biological diversity of  the ecosystem upon which many North American 
     migratory birds depend by directing the Secretary of the Interior to 
     implement rules to reduce the overabundant population of mid-continent 
     light geese.   Now would be an excellent time for concerned parties to 
     express their views to their Senators.
     
Air:
     
·  Senator Allen's Clean Power Plant Act of 1999 (H.R. 2980) was 
     referred to the Senate Committees on Commerce, Education & the 
     Workforce, Transportation & Infrastructure, Banking & Financial 
     Services, and Science.  The bill is intended to  reduce emissions of 
     mercury, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide from 
     fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units operating in the 
     United States.  Now would be an excellent time for concerned parties 
     to express their opinion of this legislation to their Senators. 
     
     
·  Senator Wyden's Forest Resources for the Environment and the 
     Economy Act (S.1457) was the subject of a September 30 hearing 
     conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources' 
     Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management. The bill would 
     amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to assess opportunities to 
     increase carbon storage on national forests and to facilitate 
     voluntary and accurate reporting of forest projects that reduce 
     atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.  Now would be an excellent 
     time for concerned parties to express their opinion of this 
     legislation to their Senators.
     
Water:
     
·  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held hearings 
     on legislation related to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act on 
     October 7th and 13th.   Bills reviewed included: Senator Smith's 
     Combined Sewer Overflow Control and Partnership Act of 1999 (S.914), 
     Senator Graham's Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999 (S.968), 
     Senator Voinovich's Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 1999 
     (S.1699), Senator Wyden's Water Conservation and Quality Incentives 
     Act (S.188) relating to the use of State revolving loan funds, and 
     Senator Coverdell's Federal Facilities Clean Water Compliance Act of 
     1999 (S.669).  Now would be an excellent time to contact your Senators 
     with your views on these specific bills or related issues.
     
     
Brownfields/Superfund Reauthorization:
     
·  The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has reported (H 
     Rept 106-353) on Rep. Boehlert's Recycle America's Land Act of 1999 
     (H.R.1300) and has also ordered Rep. Greenwood's Land Recycling Act of 
     1999 (H.R.2580) reported.
     
·  Three new Superfund reform bills have been recently introduced and 
     referred to the Committee on Commerce: Rep. Shadegg's (H.R.2921),  
     Rep. Stupak's Common Sense Superfund Liability Relief Act of 1999 and 
     Rep. Pallone's Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 
     1999. 
     
Coastal Legislation:
     
·  Recent legislative activity indicates substantial movement on 
     legislation to reauthorize the Coast Barrier Resources Act.  On 
     September 21st the House passed Rep. Saxton's Coastal Barrier 
     Resources Reauthorization Act of 1999 (H.R. 1431).  On October 20th 
     Senator Chafee introduced a Senate version of the same bill (S. 1752). 
      On October 6th the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works 
     reported (S. Rept. 106-171) Senator Helms' related bill to clarify 
     certain boundaries on maps relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources 
     System (S.1398).  Components of the bills include: continuation of the 
     Coastal Barrier System (through 2004 - House, through 2007 - Senate), 
     map boundary corrections, a digital mapping project (authorized at 
     $500,000 per year for 3 years), and an assessment of the economic 
     benefits of the system.  Now would be an excellent time to contact 
     your Senators with your views on these specific bills or related 
     coastal issues.
     
·  The House Committee on Resources has ordered reported Rep. Saxton's 
     Coastal Enhancement Act of 1999 (H.R.1110) which reauthorizes and 
     amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Now would be an 
     excellent time to contact your Representative with your views on this 
     bill or related coastal issues.
     
·  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has reported 
     (S. Rept. 106-189) Senator Chafee's Estuary Habitat Restoration 
     Partnership Act of 1999 (S.835).  National Estuarine Research Reserves 
     in the Great Lakes region are explicitly included in this legislation. 
      There is currently only one estuarine research reserve in the Great 
     Lakes region (Old Woman Creek, Ohio), though other sites are under 
     consideration for designation.  The bill is intended to encourage the 
     restoration of estuary habitat through more efficient project 
     financing and enhanced coordination of Federal and non-Federal 
     restoration programs.  Now would be an excellent time to contact your 
     Senators with any views on the needs of the Great Lakes or national 
     NERRS program.
     
·  The House passed Rep. Saxton's Sanctuaries and Reserves Act of 1999 
     (H.R.1243) to reauthorize the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.  The 
     bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce. 
     Designation of the first Great Lakes Marine Sanctuary (Thunder Bay) is 
     pending approval by Governor Engler.  Now would be an excellent time 
     to contact your Senators with your views on the Marine Sanctuaries 
     program and/or Thunder Bay designation.
     
·  The Committee on Environment and Public Works recently reported (S. 
     Rept. 106-193) Senator Breaux's bill to extend the Coastal Wetlands 
     Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (S.1119).  The bill would 
     extend the current program (unchanged) through FY 2009.  
     
     
     
Maritime:
     
·  On October 6th, the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the 
     Environment of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held 
     hearings on Rep. Oberstar's Binational Great Lakes-Seaway Enhancement 
     Act of 1999 (H.R.2332).  This bill would authorize the United States 
     to enter into an executive agreement with Canada relating to the 
     establishment and operation of a binational corporation to operate, 
     maintain, and improve facilities on the Saint Lawrence Seaway.  Now 
     would be an excellent time to contact your Representative with your 
     views on Seaway management/reorganization.
     
Mapping:
·  Rep. Cubin's National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999 
     (H.R. 1528) was passed by the House on October 26th.  The bill amends 
     the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to revise requirements for 
     the responsibilities of the U.S. Geological Survey with respect to the 
     National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, including to require 
     development of national priorities (currently, priorities) and 
     standards; development of a strategic plan; and appointment of a new 
     advisory committee.  Now would be an excellent time for those aware of 
     mapping needs in the Great Lakes region to communicate with your 
     Senators.
     
     
     
     
          
          Rochelle Sturtevant
          Coordinator, Senate Great Lakes Task Force
          459 Russell Senate Building
          Washington, DC 20510
          Rochelle_Sturtevant@levin.senate.gov
          
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