Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1586, the Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which provided $26.1 billion in temporary funding to states facing budget shortfalls.  Because of his concern about bailing out poorly managed states like California, while punishing states like Idaho that have acted responsibly and made the very difficult decisions necessary to balance their budgets, Congressman Simpson was unable to support this legislation.

The House also passed H.R. 6080, which provides emergency funding for border security for the current fiscal year.  This legislation passed without opposition.

CIEDRA:  It’s Time to End Uncertainty
By Congressman Mike Simpson
“It’s no surprise that disputes over land use in central Idaho have gone unresolved for decades.  This is a complex issue, involving those who depend on this land for their livelihoods and those who know the value of preserving it for future generations.  The reality is that complex issues don’t always have simple solutions, and such is the case with CIEDRA. 

“CIEDRA is not a perfect bill.  It requires each side to give a bit in order to find an answer.  But Idahoans have decided that the gridlock and uncertainty of the status quo is no longer acceptable and have come together to find a solution that ultimately resolves the long-standing conflicts for all stakeholders.  From the start, I have said that those who live and recreate in an area should have a say in the management decisions made there.  I am proud that CIEDRA balances the needs of all those who live near and use the Boulder-White Clouds.

“CIEDRA permanently releases 130,000 acres of wilderness study areas from restrictive management into traditional multiple use, allowing mining, ranching, and recreation in areas where it is currently not allowed.  By designating three new wilderness areas, it frees those who live and recreate there from the uncertainty of administrative management changes or the possibility that President Obama could further restrict access by unilaterally designating this area as a national monument.

“CIEDRA provides a solution for ranching families who are on the verge of losing their livelihoods by making them eligible for compensation from private sources, should they voluntarily retire grazing permits.

“CIEDRA gives Custer County, which is nearly 97% public land, needed assistance for economic development and community services and ensures that communities are better prepared to meet the needs of those who live and visit there.

“CIEDRA locks in use of the Germania corridor now and into the future and maintains access to many of the best high elevation snowmobile areas while protecting a pristine, wild landscape for future generations.

“Some folks would have you believe that CIEDRA isn’t necessary—or that it doesn’t go far enough to protect this land—but most Idahoans know that the best response to a problem is to find a solution.  After years of collaboration and compromise, I know that CIEDRA is that solution, and I hope we take hold of the opportunity to control our own destiny by rallying around it.”

Idaho Delegation Disappointed With Wolf Decision
U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick issued the following statement after learning of Judge Donald Molloy’s decision to return wolves in the Rocky Mountains to the Endangered Species List:

“This decision is disappointing.  Judge Molloy ignored the exploding population of wolves in Idaho and the Constitutional 10th Amendment right of a state to manage its own wildlife populations.  The recovery goals set when the wolf was introduced have been met and greatly exceeded.  We remain convinced Idaho can manage wolves in a sustainable and responsible way, just as it has done with other species for decades.  We look for a more reasonable decision from a higher court.”

Idaho Delegation Requests Longer Comment Period on Basin Cleanup Plan
Idaho’s congressional delegation has requested a ninety (90) day extension to the comment period for the Proposed Record of Decision Amendment for Clean Up of the Upper Coeur d’Alene Basin by the EPA.  The letter was sent last week to EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran.

The delegation issued this statement on the letter:

“The proposed expanded cleanup plan will have a major impact in the Coeur d’Alene Basin.  With the added scope and complexity of the plan, we have requested that the comment period be extended by ninety (90) days.  Residents and businesses need the additional time to fully assess the plan and the potential impacts and costs to them.  Only then will they be able to provide thorough public comment to the EPA.”

 The revised plan focuses the Superfund cleanup activity on surface water, soil sediments and source materials in 300 square miles of the upper basin.  EPA estimates the cleanup will take 50 – 100 years at a cost of $1.3 billion.

An online link to the 2,200 page document can be found here http://go.usa.gov/igD.

House Legislative Business This Week

The House is not in session.