Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-400.

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A bill to authorize the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. 6/25/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Title I: San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act - San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act - (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to implement the Stipulation of Settlement dated September 13, 2006, in Natural Resources Defense Council, et al. v. Kirk Rodgers, et al., in cooperation with the state of California, including measures to: (1) design and construct channel and structural improvements; (2) modify Friant Dam operations to provide Restoration Flows and Interim Flows; (3) acquire water, water rights, or options to acquire water from willing sellers; (4) implement terms and conditions related to recirculation, recapture, reuse, exchange, or transfer of water released for such flows; and (5) develop and implement the Recovered Water Account.Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2007 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-93.

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A bill to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, and for other purposes.

6/26/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified land adjacent to the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado or an interest in such land for addition to the Park.

Revises the boundary of the Park to reflect the acquisition of such land.

Requires the Secretary to administer any land or interest in land acquired under this Act as part of the Park.

Authorizes appropriations.

Latest Action: 05/01/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5436-5437; text as passed Senate: CR S5437)

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A resolution designating May 18, 2007, as "Endangered Species Day", and encouraging the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.

5/1/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates May 18, 2007, as Endangered Species Day.

Encourages: (1) educational entities to spend at least 30 minutes on such Day teaching students about threats to, and the restoration of, endangered species; and (2) organizations, businesses, private landowners, and agencies with an interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate on educational information for use in schools.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To authorize the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. 1/4/2007--Introduced. San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement the terms and conditions of the Stipulation of Settlement dated September 13, 2006, in Natural Resources Defense Council, et al. v. Kirk Rodgers, et al., in cooperation with the state of California, including measures to: (1) design and construct channel and structural improvements; (2) modify Friant Dam operations to provide Restoration Flows and Interim Flows; (3) acquire water, water rights, or options to acquire water from willing sellers; (4) implement terms and conditions related to recirculation, recapture, reuse, exchange, or transfer of water released for such flows; and (5) develop and implement the Recovered Water Account. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with California to facilitate or expedite Settlement implementation; and (2) identify [...]

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Latest Action: 05/01/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5437 text as passed Senate: CR S5437)

Bill Text
A resolution designating June 20, 2007, as "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

5/1/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Designates June 20, 2007, as American Eagle Day.

Encourages educational entities, organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate on education information for use in schools.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S681)

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A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to establish a program to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases from electric utilities. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Electric Utility Cap and Trade Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an allowance trading program to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric generating facilities that: (1) have a nameplate capacity greater than 25 megawatts; (2) combust GHG emitting fuels; and (3) generate electricity for sale. Provides for annual tonnage limitations for GHG emissions from such facilities for 2011-2020.Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) a Climate Science Advisory Panel; (2) a safe climate level; (3) a Climate Action Trust Fund for the Administrator to use to carry out this Act; and (4) an innovative low- and zero-emitting carbon technologies program, a clean coal technologies program, and an energy efficiency technology program.[...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

6/5/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Eagle Day. Encourages educational entities, organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate on education information for use in schools.

Latest Action: 01/29/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to carry out the Penobscot River Restoration Project.

1/29/2007--Introduced.

Penobscot River Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to carry out the Penobscot River Restoration Project substantially in accordance with the plan described in the Lower Penobscot River Multiparty Settlement Agreement, dated June 2004, subject to a determination that the plan is cost-effective, technically sound, environmentally acceptable, and in the best interest of the United States.

Directs the Secretary to expedite the feasibility and pre-construction, engineering, and design of the Project by using any applicable study prepared by the state of Maine or any other non-federal interest of the Project. Provides that a nonprofit entity may be considered to be a non-federal interest of the Project.

Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

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A bill to designate certain public land as wilderness and certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the State of California, to designate Salmon Restoration Areas, to establish the Sacramento River National Recreation Area and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. California Wild Heritage Act of 2007 - Designates specified national forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public land in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System). Requires such areas to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture, whichever has current administrative jurisdiction over each area. Designates specified California public land as: (1) salmon restoration areas; (2) wilderness study areas; and (3) a potential wilderness area. Releases any parts of a specified wilderness study area from further study for designation as wilderness. Designates specified California [...]

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Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-172.

Bill Text
A bill to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness, and for other purposes. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007 - Title I: Protected Areas - Subtitle A: Designation of Wilderness Areas - (Sec. 101) Designates specified wilderness additions in Oregon as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 102) Designates certain federal land as the "Richard L. Kohnstamm Memorial Area." (Sec. 103) Designates the Roaring River Wilderness as a potential wilderness area. Requires the inclusion of: (1) certain federal land in the Mount Hood Wilderness upon the completion of the Cooper Spur-Government Camp land exchange under section 202; and (2) certain land in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness upon acquisition by the United States. (Sec. 104) Requires the boundaries of the areas [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7782-7783)

Bill Text
A bill to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative plant species, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Introduced. Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide under the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Grant Program or the REPAIR Program (established by this Act): (1) a grant to any eligible applicant to carry out a qualified plant control project to control harmful nonnative species; and (2) a grant to any state to carry out an assessment project to identify harmful nonnative plant and animal species, assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native fish, wildlife, and habitats, identify priorities, and identify mechanisms to increase capacity building for native fish, wildlife, and habitats. [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 855.

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A bill to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture concerning, among other things, national wilderness preservation, boundary adjustments, national rivers, the national landscape conservation system, national conservation areas, land conveyances and exchanges, watershed management, watershed restoration and enhancement, wildland firefighter safety, forest landscape restoration, national trails, paleontological resources preservation, national parks, studies, national heritage areas, national heritage corridors, and water projects.Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Puget Sound Program Office, to be located in the state of Washington and headed by a Director who shall assist the management conference convened for Puget Sound in carrying out its goals.Requires the Director to: (1) assist and support the implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan developed by the conference ("Comprehensive Plan"); (2) coordinate the major functions of the federal government related to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan; (3) carry out studies and research necessary for strengthened implementation of the [...]

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Latest Action: 09/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend Public Law 106-392 to require the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration and the Commissioner of Reclamation to maintain sufficient revenues in the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends federal law providing funding to continue endangered fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins by modifying the definition of: (1) "capital projects" to include rehabilitation and repair of facilities; and (2) "facilities" to include those for protection of critical habitat and for preventing entrainment of fish in water diversions.Increases funding and extends the authorization period to fund recovery programs.Authorizes the provision of base funding through loans from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund if the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Puget Sound Program Office, to be located in the state of Washington and headed by a Director who shall assist the management conference convened for Puget Sound in carrying out its goals.Requires the Director to: (1) assist and support the implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan developed by the conference ("Comprehensive Plan"); (2) coordinate the major functions of the federal government related to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan; (3) carry out studies and research necessary for strengthened implementation of the Comprehensive [...]

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Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to lead renewed international efforts to assist developing nations in conserving natural resources and preventing the impending extinction of a large portion of the world's plant and animal species. 9/23/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the government should fully use federal authorities, diplomatic agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms, including working with other donor nations, to identify global conservation goals, and increase funding for, global conservation strategies in order to help ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and protect biological diversity in terrestrial and marine environments of developing countries;[...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or human or animal species' health, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations establishing a process for assessing the risk of all nonnative wildlife species proposed for importation into the United States, other than those included in a list of approved species issued under this Act. Sets forth factors that must be considered at minimum, including the identity of the organism to the species level, the geographic source, and the likelihood of spread and harm to groups of species or habitats.Provides procedures for issuance and expansion of the approved-for-importation list.Establishes prohibitions on: (1) importation of nonnative species or viable eggs; (2) permit violation; and (3) knowing possession, purchase, sale, barter,[...]

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Latest Action: 09/11/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To reinstate the Interim Management Strategy governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, pending the issuance of a final rule for off-road vehicle use by the National Park Service.

6/11/2008--Introduced.

Requires that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, be managed in accordance with the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy/Environmental Assessment issued by the National Park Service (NPS) until the NPS issues a special regulation and long-term off-road vehicle management plan for the use of that seashore by the public.

Invalidates the consent decree filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina regarding off-road vehicle use at that seashore.

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to reinstate the Interim Management Strategy governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, pending the issuance of a final rule for off-road vehicle use by the National Park Service.

6/11/2008--Introduced.

Requires that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, be managed in accordance with the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy/Environmental Assessment issued by the National Park Service (NPS) during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the NPS, issues a special regulation and long-term off-road vehicle management plan for the use of that seashore.

Invalidates the consent decree filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina regarding off-road vehicle use at that seashore.

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 6/4/2008 S5119-5120; text as passed Senate: CR 6/4/2008 S5119-5120; text of measure as introduced: CR 6/4/2008 S5048)

Bill Text
A resolution designating June 20, 2008, as "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

6/5/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates June 20, 2008, as American Eagle Day.

Applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means of generating critical funds for the protection of bald eagles.

Encourages educational entities, organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and develop educational tools for use in U.S. public schools.