River Otter Blog

Recent News from the Range

Sportsmen Coalition Hails House Vote on "Once-in-a-Generation" Energy Policy Reforms

Landmark Legislation Would Safeguard Fish, Wildlife and Water While Balancing Multiple Uses of America's Public Lands

July 15, 2010 (WASHINGTON) - A coalition of 500 hunting and fishing groups praised the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee for passing legislation this morning that offers a "once-in-a-generation chance" to make "urgent and necessary reforms" to our nation's energy policy.

The landmark legislation, known as the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (or CLEAR) Act, was introduced by Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall, D-WV.

In endorsing the bill, the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development coalition said it was particularly pleased with sections recommending ways to improve how oil and gas and renewable energy are developed on America's public lands.

"This bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to ensure that onshore energy development is done the right way and in the right places," said David Lien, co-chair of Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. "It's not perfect, but the CLEAR Act includes many of the most urgent and necessary reforms needed to conserve fish, wildlife and water resources and balance the multiple uses of our public lands."

Specifically, the sportsmen group said it supports Chairman Rahall's efforts to:

• Remove special exemptions that allow certain oil and gas developments to avoid environmental reviews;
• Require companies to fully disclose all chemicals used in extracting oil and gas on public lands;
• Establish mandatory best management practices to ensure that energy development is conducted responsibly and minimizes its impact on fish and wildlife; and

In addition, the hunting and fishing coalition urged the committee to support amendments that would offer renewable energy developers relief from paying royalties under certain circumstances.  Such relief would promote renewable energy development on disturbed or occupied land where energy infrastructure might already be in place.

The sportsmen also called on committee members to oppose amendments that would remove the bill's chemical disclosure provision or not give permanent and full funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.